Ana Marie Leljedal (formerly Tonya Marie Burress)

Ana Marie Leljedal (formerly Tonya Marie Burress), age 49, of Gainesville passed away on Tuesday, December 31, 2013 at her home.

Memorial services are scheduled for Tuesday, January 07, 2014 at 12:00 p.m. at Memorial Park Funeral Home. Reverend Drewery Loggins will officiate. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, January 07, 2014 from 11:00-12:00, prior to the service at the funeral home.

Ana was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on February 20, 1964. Daughter to Lillian Marie Rouse of Cincinnati, Ohio and Edward Dunlap Bennett of Nashville, Tennessee. Ana spent most of her childhood growing up in Milan, Indiana - the small town high school that the movie "Hoosiers" is based upon. Because of her roots in Indiana, Ana had a passion for the Indiana Hoosiers college basketball team.

Ana graduated from Milan High School in Milan, Indiana with the class of 1982. She attended Indiana University in Bloomington, and graduated from Parkland College in Champaign, Illinois on May 16th 2003 receiving a degree with honors in Hospitality Management.

Ana is survived by her husband, Joshuah Grant Leljedal of Gainesville, Georgia; her five children, Michael Scott Burress, Sean Alexander Burress, Lance Corporal Christopher Steven Burress, USMC, Derek Joseph Burress, and Holly Nicole Burress; three grandchildren, two older sisters and an older brother.

Ana had a life filled with many challenges but she always made the best out of wherever it led her. She supported those she loved especially her children and husband. She took much pleasure in putting others first, seeing them all succeed and grow with her encouragement and love. She lived her life with a beautiful sense of humor and passion for people that brought them up when they were down, kept them together during tough times, and finding a way to make them laugh even during those hardest times. For those that know and love her, this nurturing love and support she brought into their lives will be cherished.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Tribute gifts can be donated online at http://ww5.komen.org/Donate/Donate.html or by check to Susan G. Komen®, PO Box 650309, Dallas, TX 75265-0309.

Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Road, Gainesville, GA 30504 is in charge of arrangements.

Send online condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com.