Ann Minger

­­­ Valley Community school district of Clermont, Elgin and Wadena in 1962, as she continued her classes at Upper Iowa. She graduated from Upper Iowa in August of 1969.

She taught third grade and retired from teaching in 1987 with fond memories of students who kept in contact with her over the years. Her most memorable experience as a teacher was the visit by Governor Robert Ray, who came to plant trees at the Elgin grade school after one of her students wrote the invitation to the governor.

Ann had many interests and hobbies. When her children were young, she sewed a lot of their clothing.

When Ann retired, she was busy with many local organizations and activities. She was an active member of Holy Name Parish and the Retired Teachers Association. She enjoyed teaching at the one-room schoolhouse during the Fayette County Fair.

In retirement, she started quilting, making graduation quilts for all of her seven grandchildren. She was very interested in ceramics, making many gifts. She and Bob enjoyed having family and friends at their home on Cherry Street. They spent many hours playing cards. She enjoyed traveling – visiting family and friends. Grandchildren had many visits with Grandma, going to local historical sites. One of her retirement joys was being able to get a plane ride with Patrick whenever possible.

In 2007, Ann was one of the first residents, with her dog Lucky, to move into Stoney Brook assisted-living facility in West Union.

In 2010 she moved to Decorah to Eastern Star, where she was currently living when she passed. At Eastern Star she enjoyed being known as the "trivia queen.”

Ann is survived by her children: Beth (Jerry) Einck, Decorah, Iowa; Paul (Diane), Odessa, Florida; Mark, Waite Park, Minnesota; and Patrick (Karen), Chanhassen, Minnesota; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She is also survived by sister Genevieve McNeil, West Union, Iowa; sisters-in-law, Arlene O'Laughlin, La Crosse, Wisconsin, and Marjorie Strudthoff of West Union, Iowa; and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; her parents, Ann and A.C. (Bob) Nesbit; nephews Edward McNeil and William O’Loughlin Jr.; and brothers-in-­law Jack McNeil, Dale (Olive) Minger, William O'Laughlin and Bill Strudthoff.

Visitation was Friday, Jan. 27, 2017 from 4-7 pm at Holy Name Catholic Church, West Union, Iowa, with a Rosary at 4 p.m. and Scripture Service at 7 pm. There was also a one-hour visitation before Mass at the church on Saturday.

Mass of Christian Burial was at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017, at Holy Name Catholic Church, West Union, Iowa, with Rev. Jim Brokman and Rev. Dale Rausch as the concelebrants.

Burial followed at St. Francis DeSales Catholic Cemetery, Ossian, Iowa.

Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, West Union, Iowa, helped the family with the arrangements.       5u5