Obituary of Ann Kincaid Speer Ashliman

In loving memory of Ann Kincaid Speer Ashliman.  A beloved grandmother “Grannie Annie”, mother, wife, sister, and daughter.

Ann was born on January 28, 1948, to the parents of James Paul Speer II and Blanche Leota Corder, in Austin, Texas.  She was the second oldest in her family of three brothers, “Jimmy”, Jeff, and George Speer. Ann’s childhood was spent living in Texas, Guatemala, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Kansas. 

After graduating from High School, Ann attended Oklahoma State University.  Feeling a sense of aimlessness and confusion about her life, she moved to Boulder Colorado to live near her parents. 

In Boulder, Ann met and studied with the missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  Ann received answers to her questions about the purpose of life through the truths and teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and she chose to be baptized.  

Ann’s love for the Savior and his teachings became a guiding principle in her life and her choices.  She started working as a secretary for the Institute of Religion in Boulder and there met her eternal sweetheart, Randell Kent Ashliman.  They were sealed in the Salt Lake City temple on January 3, 1972.  The lovebirds continued to live in Colorado, study at the university, and welcomed their first bundle of joy into their lives, Carrie Anne.  She was followed by “Katie”-Catherine Alice, Megan Rebecca, Maren Ruth, Paul Lyman, and Paige Louise.  

Ann was a devoted wife, mother, homemaker, and ministering sister throughout her adult life.  Her home was a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of cleanliness, and a house of order.  She loved to decorate for various occasions and holidays and establish fun holiday traditions.  Ann also loved to read books, study the gospel of Jesus Christ,  and spend time with her family playing games and working together.  You may call her the queen of “to do lists”, who kept the “post it note” company in business!

Ann was excited about family history, humanitarian work, and continuing education.  She received an Associate of Arts degree with a Spanish emphasis, from the College of Southern Idaho, December 1999.  Ann also received her Young Womanhood Recognition award April 21, 2013. She was never too old to learn and prove herself.   

As converts to the church, Ann and Randy had desired to serve as full-time missionaries.  Their situation was unique, as they continued to care for their precious daughter, Katie, into adulthood.  However, this situation did not quench their desire for missionary service.  They acted in faith and were called to serve as church service missionaries, in the Boise, Idaho mission from May 1, 2016-January 10, 2017, while still supporting their Katie.  

On Sunday, October 24, 2021, in Boise, Idaho, Ann Kincaid Speer Ashliman, age 73, peacefully passed away, from declining health due to dementia.  She was able to move on from the physical, mental, and emotional struggles of earth life, and on to a better place, to be reunited with her loved ones whom she was missing.  Ann is preceded in death by her sweetheart, Randell Kent Ashliman (September 24, 2019), mother Blanche Leota Corder, and father James Paul Speer II. 

Ann is survived by her six children Carrie Anne (Jason Fronk), “Katie”-Catherine Alice, Megan Rebecca (Tye Tingey), Maren Ruth (David Olsen) , Paul Lyman (Sarah Morgan) , and Paige Louise (Jeff Wood), her three brothers, Jimmy Speer, Jeff Speer, and George Speer, and her 26 smart, talented, and adoring grandchildren, who all take after her and are her favorites.  

Family and close friends will honor Ann at an indoor graveside memorial in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints PELLA church building.  Located on 400 S 152 W, Burley, Idaho. This will take place on Friday, November 5, 2021 at 10:30 A.M.