Anna Sauer

Colorado, Anna Bryson Sauer, passed away on Tuesday, June 26, 2018 after a hard fought and inspiring bout with cancer.

Born in Sylva, Anna spent her childhood years in Rutherfordton learning more about sports than most boys and dressing far nicer than most girls. Carroll Bryson, her father and local celebrity (think Andy Griffith) and a Tom's distributor, taught Anna the beauty of baseball, golf and the competitive genius of sports in general. Her love for sports would become legendary through her life as she set up multiple televisions to watch all the games long before cable, she invented the "couch wave" and she scared away neighborhood children and animals with her vocal celebrations cheering her NC State, Auburn or any Colorado team. In fact you may recall the earthquake conditions of 1983 that Anna created when celebrating the NC State Wolfpack win over the Houston "Phi-Slamma-Jamma". It was a moment remembered fondly by her family, who will never forget the look on her face. Her mother, Mabel Bryson, was an elementary school teacher who gifted Anna with a love for the finer things in life such as clothing, manners and cooking. Anna excelled in school, playing clarinet in the band, engaging in school government, and playing softball and basketball.

Moving to Colorado in 1974, Anna never forgot her home state of North Carolina or her southern upbringing. While her career outside the home varied from sales, to management, to real estate, Anna's true calling was that of a mother and grandmother…or as she was called, Nana. Her grandchildren were roughly 10 years old before understanding that receiving gifts wrapped in tissue paper every single day was not a normal thing. Never was her inner child on greater display than during Christmas. Anna's home was decorated in every possible way, including singing toilet paper holders and the most incredible village you have ever seen in a residential home. The village was complete with a Tom's truck and football, making it a sketch of Anna's life covered in snow and glowing in Christmas lights.

Diagnosed with cancer in April of 2017, Anna continued her positive attitude and fierce strength, amazing her doctors with her personality and her courage. Everyone loved Anna as she continued to leave her mark and impress all that she met, even as they drew her blood or prescribed her pills. With her sense of humor and fierceness of self, Anna fought a good fight, finally giving in, but only with the determination that she had so much to do somewhere else. She did not lose to cancer but rather left early to do great things in other places.

Anna was preceded in death by her mother, Mabel Bryson.

Anna is survived by her devoted husband, Tim Sauer, of Longmont, Colorado; her children, Amy Helmick (Rick), Andy Triplett (Dhiannon), Lorrie Reynolds and Kay Sauer; her father, Carroll Bryson; brother, Gene Bryson (Judy); and the reason she was put on earth, her grandchildren, Nathan and Megan Helmick, Bryse (Susie), and Kirah Taylor; her great-grandson, Kaiden; and her bottom waging Corgi, Poppy.

A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 14, 2018 at First United Methodist Church of Waynesville with Reverend Becky Brown officiating. Visitation will precede the service at 10:00 a.m. at the Church.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to https://giving.cu.edu/fund/gi-cancer-research indicating in honor of Anna Sauer, or send a check made payable to The University of Colorado Foundation or CU Foundation with GI Cancer Research Fund 0222163 at Office of Advancement, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, 13001 East 17th Place, MS A065, Aurora, Colorado 80045. Please include Anna�s name in the memo line of the check. Your donation will go to Anna�s medical team, headed by Dr. Christopher Lieu, an amazing doctor and friend who brought great comfort to Anna.

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