Anne (Anna) Martha Ohde
November 24, 1914 - November 2, 2009
Children: Beverly Anne Ohde Wolfe and Charles Edward Ohde
Early years:
Born of German descent, Anna Martha Ohde (maiden name Karshner) came into the world on November
24, 1914. Anna grew up on E. Gates Street in Columbus, Ohio. She had 5 brothers and sisters: Charles,
Albert, Kirby, Marion and Barbara. (Barbara is the last surviving sibling and is now 85 years young.)
Anne attended South High School and always had lots of childhood stories to tell. She married Harold
Herman Ohde and had two children, Charles Edward and Beverly Anne. Anne knew the value of a good
education; Charles attended Columbus Academy for Boys and Beverly attended the Upper Arlington
School System for her education. In summers Anne required Beverly do one multiplication table out loud,
write a short, 3-sentence story, and recite 2 to 3 spelling words every Monday through Friday before she
was allowed to play or go to the pool.
She also encouraged Charles’ and Beverly’s natural musical abilities. Charles was an excellent
pianist. By the time Charles was either 12 or 14, his teacher told Anne that she could teach him no more
and that they may want to consider sending him to Capitol University. He played classical music
metronome perfectly. He had the potential and skill of being the Van Cliburn of today. Beverly played the
organ by age 4, piano at 10, and studied voice lessons in her teens. Anne took Beverly to church every
Sunday and taught her the Golden Rule.
Anne had a cerebral hemorrhage when Beverly was around 3 to 4 yrs old. She was giving Beverly a bath
at the time and felt strange, so she took her out of the tub, wrapped her with a towel, and made it to the
neighbors before she collapsed. Those were pre-911 days!
Anne was an excellent housekeeper, always on top of everything, and a woman who never sat still
unless she was sleeping. She often went to the graveyards to see the history of the family and take care of
each relative’s site. She belonged to a group of women, the Virginia Wright Women's Guild, who back in
the 50's (and maybe earlier) gathered together to put on bazaars and "white elephant sales,” sell cookies
at Christmas, and MANY money-making endeavors to help women in need in the Central Ohio area. This
was WAY before its time. Anne was always outgoing to others. She would stop at a bus stop (when the
world was kinder) and offer someone a ride to where they were going, ESPECIALLY in bad weather.
Anne's cooking was ALWAYS delicious; her pies and cakes were unmatched by anyone. She also
loved to entertain and held bridal showers and baby showers for many friends, always making everything
so special with beautiful decorations and food. Anne always decorated her home for each different holiday
and loved doing so. She enjoyed Christmas the most, but made homemade Easter candy and sometimes a
lamb cake, a pumpkin cake for Halloween that REALLY looked like a pumpkin, and sometimes for
Christmas, she made a birthday cake for Jesus. Beverly says her Thanksgiving meals were - and STILL
are - the best she EVER had. She was a consummate cook. Usually no recipes, just a little of this and a
little of that. Hard to impossible to duplicate!
She loved antiquing and shopping, taking Beverly on many excursions. She loved to dress her
daughter in special dresses, black patent leather shoes and white gloves. Their favorite stores were
Lazarus and the Union. Lunches were at the Chintz Room at Lazarus or Mills buffet. Beverly does not ever
remember being left with a babysitter; she and Anne were inseparable.
After the divorce Anne worked many jobs, always wanting to take care of Beverly. Anne worked for an
insurance company, a doctor's office, eventually Kelly Girls temp agency, and on the side, she would baby-
sit at night, taking Beverly along - all in an effort to keep them in their home. She made her famous cakes
and took them at some time to almost every long-term assignment she had. She would bake one for the
different physicians on their birthdays and once anyone had her cakes, they would ask her to bake one for
them for their special occasions.
Anne and Beverly traveled to the Middle East together in the very early 70's – costing all of about
$600 apiece for 10 days! Anne went to Europe AND the Middle East a second time, both on tours. When
Beverly was around 12 years old, Anne made sure she took Beverly twice - once to New York and once to
Washington DC, via trains so Beverly would have that experience. These trips were tours sponsored by
the Columbus Dispatch. Anne volunteered for school projects like the classroom Christmas party (when
that was still legal!) and the class Halloween party. She always invited Beverly's teachers home for one
lunch each year.
Anne was an extremely frugal shopper, especially grocery shopping. She would not buy something unless
it was at its cheapest known price. With any purchase she was shrewd and wise. When Beverly reached
driving age, Anne was "stingy" with her car. She even wrote down the mileage (when she did let Beverly
use it) just to keep her from using it for more than was agreed. When Beverly turned 18 she expressed
interest in getting an apartment with a friend and trying to grow up and learn the ropes, but Anne never
really accepted Beverly's moving away from home. It was always a bone of contention. Anne believed a
girl was to stay at home.
Later in her life Anne joined the Women’s Opera Guild of Columbus and helped in fund-raising
endeavors there and she volunteered for CAPA at the Ohio Theatre Shop. As an older woman Anne loved
bending over, picking and digging out weeds in the yard. She always liked the many pets that passed
through the home, but never seemed to get really close to one until these last 9 years when Kiki the cat
came into her life and THEY became buddies. Beverly will always treasure the joy Kiki brought Anne.
Years before Anne became dependent and needing her daughter's help, Beverly asked her, "Mom, what
am I going to do when I get old?" and Anne said, "Watch me." From the time Beverly was around 4 or 5 yrs
old, Anne always told her, "Don't put me in a nursing home." Anne and her sister Barbara had cared for
THEIR mother at home. The pattern set, the lessons learned by Beverly.
Anne was always extremely independent, and when that changed it was instant and obvious. Anne’s
last 5 years were a glorious testament to her strength of character and love of life. In her 80's Anne
survived 3 strokes and kept going, recovering and bouncing back each time. Anne fell once at a public
event, resulting in the loss of her sight in her right eye. She kept on going. She became weakened and
needing to be dependent. No longer able to dress herself or cook for herself, she kept on going. She kept
on going many times...over and over again...surprising everyone every time. She declined to the point
where she needed a walker or cane to get around. Her wits about her, her humor in tact, she kept on
going.
On Thursday September 17, 2009, the Red Hats had their monthly dinner at Cafe del Mondo. Beverly
assisted Anne to the restaurant and a young man, a restaurant employee, offered to help. The two of
them, Beverly and the young man, assisted Anne inside, and once in the designated room, the music
changed and had quite a nice beat! The young man turned Anne towards him, face to face, clasping
hands and said, "Do you want to dance?" Mother grinned, and while holding onto his hands, swung her
hips to the left...and then to the right...and then back to the left. What a hoot...what a joy!
Anne’s last days:
Sunday October 25... Anne was sitting on the couch at home eating 3 pieces of garlic chicken pizza and
afterwards having one of her favorite spearmint leaves candies.
Tuesday October 27... Anne fell at home and was rushed to the ER. “Seems to have broken nothing,”
they said. “Maybe a hairline fracture...”
Friday night October 30... Beverly stopped in after work, leaned over Anne to tell her she was there, and
Anne KISSED Beverly on the cheek. Beverly kissed Anne back on her cheek, and back and forth, they did
that 5 or 6 times. Then Beverly said in Anne’s ear, as her hearing had been failing, “I love you!" Anne
said, "I love YOU!", and those were the last words they had with each other. Friday night - last shared
words.
Monday afternoon Anne left to be with her God.
November 24, 1914 - November 2, 2009
Children: Beverly Anne Ohde Wolfe and Charles Edward Ohde
Early years:
Born of German descent, Anna Martha Ohde (maiden name Karshner) came into the world on November
24, 1914. Anna grew up on E. Gates Street in Columbus, Ohio. She had 5 brothers and sisters: Charles,
Albert, Kirby, Marion and Barbara. (Barbara is the last surviving sibling and is now 85 years young.)
Anne attended South High School and always had lots of childhood stories to tell. She married Harold
Herman Ohde and had two children, Charles Edward and Beverly Anne. Anne knew the value of a good
education; Charles attended Columbus Academy for Boys and Beverly attended the Upper Arlington
School System for her education. In summers Anne required Beverly do one multiplication table out loud,
write a short, 3-sentence story, and recite 2 to 3 spelling words every Monday through Friday before she
was allowed to play or go to the pool.
She also encouraged Charles’ and Beverly’s natural musical abilities. Charles was an excellent
pianist. By the time Charles was either 12 or 14, his teacher told Anne that she could teach him no more
and that they may want to consider sending him to Capitol University. He played classical music
metronome perfectly. He had the potential and skill of being the Van Cliburn of today. Beverly played the
organ by age 4, piano at 10, and studied voice lessons in her teens. Anne took Beverly to church every
Sunday and taught her the Golden Rule.
Anne had a cerebral hemorrhage when Beverly was around 3 to 4 yrs old. She was giving Beverly a bath
at the time and felt strange, so she took her out of the tub, wrapped her with a towel, and made it to the
neighbors before she collapsed. Those were pre-911 days!
Anne was an excellent housekeeper, always on top of everything, and a woman who never sat still
unless she was sleeping. She often went to the graveyards to see the history of the family and take care of
each relative’s site. She belonged to a group of women, the Virginia Wright Women's Guild, who back in
the 50's (and maybe earlier) gathered together to put on bazaars and "white elephant sales,” sell cookies
at Christmas, and MANY money-making endeavors to help women in need in the Central Ohio area. This
was WAY before its time. Anne was always outgoing to others. She would stop at a bus stop (when the
world was kinder) and offer someone a ride to where they were going, ESPECIALLY in bad weather.
Anne's cooking was ALWAYS delicious; her pies and cakes were unmatched by anyone. She also
loved to entertain and held bridal showers and baby showers for many friends, always making everything
so special with beautiful decorations and food. Anne always decorated her home for each different holiday
and loved doing so. She enjoyed Christmas the most, but made homemade Easter candy and sometimes a
lamb cake, a pumpkin cake for Halloween that REALLY looked like a pumpkin, and sometimes for
Christmas, she made a birthday cake for Jesus. Beverly says her Thanksgiving meals were - and STILL
are - the best she EVER had. She was a consummate cook. Usually no recipes, just a little of this and a
little of that. Hard to impossible to duplicate!
She loved antiquing and shopping, taking Beverly on many excursions. She loved to dress her
daughter in special dresses, black patent leather shoes and white gloves. Their favorite stores were
Lazarus and the Union. Lunches were at the Chintz Room at Lazarus or Mills buffet. Beverly does not ever
remember being left with a babysitter; she and Anne were inseparable.
After the divorce Anne worked many jobs, always wanting to take care of Beverly. Anne worked for an
insurance company, a doctor's office, eventually Kelly Girls temp agency, and on the side, she would baby-
sit at night, taking Beverly along - all in an effort to keep them in their home. She made her famous cakes
and took them at some time to almost every long-term assignment she had. She would bake one for the
different physicians on their birthdays and once anyone had her cakes, they would ask her to bake one for
them for their special occasions.
Anne and Beverly traveled to the Middle East together in the very early 70's – costing all of about
$600 apiece for 10 days! Anne went to Europe AND the Middle East a second time, both on tours. When
Beverly was around 12 years old, Anne made sure she took Beverly twice - once to New York and once to
Washington DC, via trains so Beverly would have that experience. These trips were tours sponsored by
the Columbus Dispatch. Anne volunteered for school projects like the classroom Christmas party (when
that was still legal!) and the class Halloween party. She always invited Beverly's teachers home for one
lunch each year.
Anne was an extremely frugal shopper, especially grocery shopping. She would not buy something unless
it was at its cheapest known price. With any purchase she was shrewd and wise. When Beverly reached
driving age, Anne was "stingy" with her car. She even wrote down the mileage (when she did let Beverly
use it) just to keep her from using it for more than was agreed. When Beverly turned 18 she expressed
interest in getting an apartment with a friend and trying to grow up and learn the ropes, but Anne never
really accepted Beverly's moving away from home. It was always a bone of contention. Anne believed a
girl was to stay at home.
Later in her life Anne joined the Women’s Opera Guild of Columbus and helped in fund-raising
endeavors there and she volunteered for CAPA at the Ohio Theatre Shop. As an older woman Anne loved
bending over, picking and digging out weeds in the yard. She always liked the many pets that passed
through the home, but never seemed to get really close to one until these last 9 years when Kiki the cat
came into her life and THEY became buddies. Beverly will always treasure the joy Kiki brought Anne.
Years before Anne became dependent and needing her daughter's help, Beverly asked her, "Mom, what
am I going to do when I get old?" and Anne said, "Watch me." From the time Beverly was around 4 or 5 yrs
old, Anne always told her, "Don't put me in a nursing home." Anne and her sister Barbara had cared for
THEIR mother at home. The pattern set, the lessons learned by Beverly.
Anne was always extremely independent, and when that changed it was instant and obvious. Anne’s
last 5 years were a glorious testament to her strength of character and love of life. In her 80's Anne
survived 3 strokes and kept going, recovering and bouncing back each time. Anne fell once at a public
event, resulting in the loss of her sight in her right eye. She kept on going. She became weakened and
needing to be dependent. No longer able to dress herself or cook for herself, she kept on going. She kept
on going many times...over and over again...surprising everyone every time. She declined to the point
where she needed a walker or cane to get around. Her wits about her, her humor in tact, she kept on
going.
On Thursday September 17, 2009, the Red Hats had their monthly dinner at Cafe del Mondo. Beverly
assisted Anne to the restaurant and a young man, a restaurant employee, offered to help. The two of
them, Beverly and the young man, assisted Anne inside, and once in the designated room, the music
changed and had quite a nice beat! The young man turned Anne towards him, face to face, clasping
hands and said, "Do you want to dance?" Mother grinned, and while holding onto his hands, swung her
hips to the left...and then to the right...and then back to the left. What a hoot...what a joy!
Anne’s last days:
Sunday October 25... Anne was sitting on the couch at home eating 3 pieces of garlic chicken pizza and
afterwards having one of her favorite spearmint leaves candies.
Tuesday October 27... Anne fell at home and was rushed to the ER. “Seems to have broken nothing,”
they said. “Maybe a hairline fracture...”
Friday night October 30... Beverly stopped in after work, leaned over Anne to tell her she was there, and
Anne KISSED Beverly on the cheek. Beverly kissed Anne back on her cheek, and back and forth, they did
that 5 or 6 times. Then Beverly said in Anne’s ear, as her hearing had been failing, “I love you!" Anne
said, "I love YOU!", and those were the last words they had with each other. Friday night - last shared
words.
Monday afternoon Anne left to be with her God.
