Anna Lou Bahr Mattix Aberle, 91, Fort Scott, died Friday, Dec. 17, 2010 at the Presbyterian Village in Fort Scott. She was born Oct. 21, 1919 in Gridley, the daughter of Henry and Lydia (Ott) Bahr.

She spent her childhood in Gridley and graduated from Gridley High School. She then attended Strickland’s Business College in Topeka and following graduation, true to her nurturing spirit, she returned to the family home to help her father care for her ailing mother and younger brothers.

In 1942 she and Lewis Mattix were married and to this union a cherished son, Mark Eric Mattix was born. They made their home in Chanute where Anna Lou was the first director of the Safari Museum, serving from 1961 to 1973.

Her husband, Lewis, preceded her in death in 1977.

She and Mark moved to Overland Park where she continued sharing her knowledge of Africa and the Martin and Osa Johnson story at the Africa Shop at Crown Center. However, the highlight of her career was planning and being the tour leader of five trips to the Holy Land with her family and friends, featuring places where Jesus walked.

In 1987 Anna Lou and Ben Aberle were married and they established residences in Sabetha and Sarasota, Fla., until his death in 1990.

On Jan. 31, 2009, Anna Lou suffered the loss of her only child, Mark Mattix.

Anna Lou loved and attended the Apostolic Christian Church all her life. She was a charter member of the Kansas City Apostolic Christian Church where she worshipped until moving to the Presbyterian Village in Fort Scott in February of 2009.

Survivors include two brothers, Roy Bahr, Morton, Ill., James Bahr, Fort Scott; and a host of nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Arnold and George Bahr, and a sister, Wilma Farney.

Funeral will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 22 at the Kansas City Apostolic Christian Church, 301 W. Blueridge Blvd., Kansas City, Mo.

The family will meet with friends from 9:30 a.m. until service time at the church.

Graveside service will be 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Apostolic Christian Cemetery at Lamont. Memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army or the American Cancer Society and may be sent in care of Jones Funeral Home, PO Box 277, Burlington 66839.