Anka Mrla, 75, of Lawton went to be with the Lord on Sunday, August 7, 2011 while surrounded by her family.


Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, August 11, at Bethel Lutheran Church in Lawton, IA with Rev. Bruce Jackson officiating.  Burial will be in Arlington Cemetery in Moville.  Visitation will be held at Bethel Lutheran Church on Wednesday from 5:00-8:00 with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m.  Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Waterbury Funeral Service.
Anka was born to Pave and Ivanja Kostelac in Prozor, Croatia on May 1, 1936.  As a child, she enjoyed tending her sheep in the nearby valley and mountains.  When WWII began, her home became the battlefield between German and Allied Forces with the Germans occupying her home on many occasions. The trials of WWII shaped Anka into a determined, caring young woman who always thought of others first.
Anka married George Mrla on March 24, 1956 in Oto?ac, Croatia.  George and Anka made their home on a farm in Lawton, Iowa.  Anka enjoyed raising her 12 children and working on the family farm. Due to the war, Anka was only allowed to obtain a third grade education; nonetheless, she was able to manage a farming operation because of her sharp business acumen. Mrs. George Mrla was an energetic and resourceful woman of strength, integrity, commitment, and classic beauty.  She enjoyed cooking and baking Croatian dishes and knitting for her beloved family. She admired the blooming of spring flowers, especially peonies; the summer’s radiance; and the fruition of fall. Her 26 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren brought her exceptional delight.


Anka was preceded in death by her son Robert (Bobby), her parents, and a daughter-in-law (Linda).

Survivors include her husband George and children Louis and Kathy (Daniel) of Omaha NE, Steve (Samantha [Scott and children Scott, Hunter, Hannah], Danielle, Nicole) of Lawton, Joe and Darla (Bradley [Ashley and children Landon and Brylee], Joshua, John, Joseph) of Eagle Grove, John (Johnny, Jack, Jeff [Brenda and child Gage], Joni) of Lawton, Richard and Suzy (Alex and Meghan) of Lawton, Mary and Bill Hiner (Dakota, Micah, Gabrielle) of Newhall, Rosemary and Kenny Chicoine (Wyatt, Austin, Brianna) of Jefferson SD, David and Jodie (Devon, Cami, Kailey) of Moville, Jennifer and Scott Newman (Kolton and Grant) of Sgt. Bluff, George of Sioux City, and Georgie of Sioux City. She also leaves behind Jackie Mrla of Sioux City, sister Katé (Tosa) of Croatia and their family, sister Mande and her family of Croatia, and brother Mile and his family of Croatia.