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Annis LaVerne Griffith Doto, beloved, wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt, peacefully passed away at her daughter’s home the evening of Nov. 5, 2018, just six days short of her 98th birthday.
Annis was born in Cedar Meadows, Iowa, on Nov. 11, 1920, to Verne and Helen Griffith. Annis, her parents and older sister, Irene, moved to Glenrock-Parkerton Tank Farm when she was a child. She grew up on the tank farm learning to love and enjoy the windswept Wyoming prairie.
Annis spent all 12 school years riding school buses from Parkerton to Glenrock to attend elementary and high school. She graduated from GPHS in May 1937. That summer, at the swimming pool, she noticed a handsome young man who had come to town from Los Angeles, California. After a short courtship, they were married June 27, 1938. In April of the following year (1939), their daughter was born.
While living in Glenrock, Annis went to work as a bookkeeper and office manager for Foster Lumber Company. She worked there until her husband transferred to Denver, Colorado. After the family moved to Denver, Annis was employed as a secretary for Baker Elementary School in Westminster, Colorado. She would later retire from this position. She fostered many lifelong friendships while working for the school district.
Before her husband retired, they were transferred to New Orleans, Louisiana, for two years. Annis enjoyed learning about and living in a new culture.
Returning to Denver from New Orleans, Annis found herself still wanting to keep busy. She purchased and operated a gift shop in one of Denver’s downtown hotels.
Following the death of her husband, Annis moved to Tucson, Arizona, to be close to her niece and family. It had been Annis and John’s lifelong dream to retire in Tucson. She spent nine years in Arizona before moving to Powell in September 2002. She lived with her daughter and son-in-law while overseeing the building of her new home where she lived for 14 years.
Prior to her death, she lived with her daughter and son-in-law for three years.
Annis was tiny, but mighty. Her great-niece fondly tagged her “Big A.” She was strong, stubborn and stoic. She was lovely, kind, appreciative and thankful for all her blessings — and she was a mother to be admired and loved.
Among her favorites were a good time, parties, dancing, entertaining, pretty clothes and jewelry. She loved crystal and her infamous “red boots.”
Preceding her in death were her parents; her sister and brother-in-law; and her son-in-law.
Annis is survived by her daughter, Katy Lytle; four grandchildren, Donovan Lytle (Teresa Turnbull), Kirsten Adams (Dan), Dana Lytle (Cheryl Parzych) and Sydney Lytle Petett (Andre); her niece and family, Connie Lagergren (Chuck), Matt Lagergren (Marcie), Abby, Ellie and Lyn Lagergren; and 11 great-grandchildren complete the family — Ori Kai Auer, Phoebe Lytle, Braxton Adams, Akela Jaffey Auer, Garett Lytle, Zachariah Petett, Tyler Adams, Matlin Lytle, Iris Lytle, Natalie Adams and Malcolm Petett.
Graveside services will take place at the Glenrock Masonic Cemetery, Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018, at 2 p.m. with Deacon Leigh Earle officiating.
Memorial services will be at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Powell on Friday, Nov. 16, 2018, at 1:30 p.m. with the Rev. Megan Nickles officiating, with a reception to follow at 1222 Rosewood Lane.
