Annabelle Joan Schaefer

Annabelle was a joy to all and a blessing.

Born April 3,1928 to Ed and Lucy (Kienlen) Gleisner and raised with her brothers David and John on their farm near New Ulm. The family moved to the Swan Lake Nicollet area where the children attended country school. Annabelle graduated from Nicollet High School in 1946. She enjoyed a working girl year in New Ulm at the telephone company and Herberger’s.

Marriage to James Schaefer in 1947 brought her back to Nicollet County and the Fort Road farm. This farm, the gardens, her home for 66 years, is the essence of Annabelle. Home life was farm life, household chores and baking, gardens and chickens, church and family visits on Sunday. Her ten children were truly blessed with this wonderful mother. Annabelle was happy, kind, hardworking and thrifty her entire life teaching her children through her example.

James died in 2007. Annabelle moved to Willmar in 2013 and lived independently until her death on September 13th. She loved the ease of apartment living and her patio garden filled with flowers. She entered a W or L on her Twins calendar and finished each day with a bowl of ice cream.

Annabelle is the last of her generation for her family of birth and marriage. She is preceded in death by her husband James, son Steven, sons-in-law Joe DesRosier and Paul Wilkus, great grandsons Cal Reinhardt and Isaac Wilson. 

Annabelle is survived by sons: Daniel (Linda), Randy (Joleen), Chad (Helen); and daughters: Mary Ellen, Paula (Allen Blodgett), Ruth (Lee Thompson), Kristine (Werner Glinka), Anna (Fred Goetz), and Lisa;  eight grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren.

Her Mass of Christian Burial will be at 3:00 PM Thursday, September 19th at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 713 12th St SW, Willmar. Visitation will be one hour prior to her service. Private interment will be at a later date. Donations and memorials to donor’s choice in lieu of flowers.

Blessed be her memory.

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