“Through the clear silence of a beautiful dawn, leaving no footprints on the road it trod, straight as an arrow reaching its mark, the soul went home to God.”

     As morning was breaking on September 11, 2014, surrounded by the love of her 4 daughters, our precious mother joined the loved ones who awaited her arrival in Heaven.

Annabelle was born on Christmas Day, 1921 in Abbotsford, WI to Otis and Anna (Barber) Adams.  Her dad teased her about being left under the Christmas tree, but she always insisted that she had a birthday like everyone else.

She grew up in Hancock, WI, spending much of her time at her family’s printing business; she claimed that half of her blood was printer’s ink.  She graduated from Hancock High School in 1939, where she was the Senior Prom Queen and the Drum Majorette of the band.

Anabelle was a waitress at the Main Street Café in Stevens Point, WI where she met her future husband, Roy H. Steele.  They were married on June 14, 1942.  Roy’s son, Gary and daughter Ethel were eventually joined by little sisters Patricia, Luana and Ruth.  Annabelle raised her daughters while Roy was out on the road all week, and not once did she say, “Wait till your dad gets home.”  Instead, she took care of issues in the moment, just as she handled household matters that needed attention.

Annabelle was a gifted seamstress, making most of her daughters’ clothes, as well as her own.  She also sewed for friends and neighbors.  She taught her girls to sew on the old treadle machine, and expected them to do it right.  If not, she would say, “Rip it out and do it over.”

Roy and Annabelle had a huge garden that produced a multitude of tomatoes to can, grapes and raspberries to make into jam and jelly, and strawberries to turn into her fantastic strawberry pie.  Son Gary would say, “This is just terrible pie,” as he kept eating slice after slice.  In addition to edible produce, Annabelle grew hundreds of gladiolas each summer.  She could cut two big bouquets for the church altar, which barely left a mark in the flower bed.

In addition to sewing and gardening, Annabelle enjoyed crocheting, especially afghans and mittens for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She also loved to work with plastic canvas and truly enjoyed giving away most of the items she made.  Annabelle crafted thousands of plastic canvas and ribbon crosses, many of which have been given to Hospice patients and their families.  Annabelle greatly enjoyed studying genealogy.  She did extensive research of her family history and kept precise records of her findings.

Annabelle was widowed when Roy died unexpectedly on September 22, 1965.  She began working at Jolivette Cleaners where she met a customer, Wayne F. Benson whom she married in 1970.  She and Wayne spent many, many enjoyable hours at the Moose Lodge in La Crosse.  For several years Annabelle was involved in the activities of the Women of the Moose.  She held many offices, but was most proud of achieving the College of Regents Degree.

Annabelle was a founding member of Olivet Lutheran Church where she was active in the Ladies’ Aid, choir and her Circle.  She also taught and served as the Superintendent of Sunday School.  Her church and her faith were very important to Annabelle.

Annabelle had 5 children: Gary, Ethel, Patricia, Luana and Ruth.  She had 23 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.  She is survived by her 4 daughters: Ethel & Dale Carley (son Roy): Patricia & Dennis Engel (children Brett (Suzanne) Engel and Sherry (George) Rysavy; Luana & Lawrence Freng (sons Lawrence, Jr. and Jered); and Ruth & Richard Morgan (children Amy Morgan, David (Jamie) Morgan and Jennifer (Jeremy) Harnisch.  She is also survived by Stepdaughter Marygrace & Leonard Schliesman (children Phillip, Angela (Mark) Weller, and Marie (Tom) Watry; stepson Steven & Marta Benson (children Geoffrey, Kate (Alex) and Michael Benson and Dashiell Huber); and grandchildren Susan, Walter and James Steele.    Other survivors are a sister-in-law, Lessie Steele, many nieces and nephews, and her very dear friend, Carol Kaiser.

Annabelle was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Orson, Norman and Donald Adams and sister Natalie Mills; son Gary H. Steele; husbands Roy H. Steele and Wayne F. Benson; and grandchildren Johnny, Gene and Glenn Carley, Linda Marie Engel, Jason David Freng and Christine Freng.

A memorial service will be held at 11:30 am on Monday, September 15 with a 2 hour visitation prior to the services at Olivet Beacon of Light Lutheran Church, 2100 Bainbridge St. on French Island.  Pastors Luanne Sorenson and David Baldukas will officiate.  Because of Annabelle’s great love of reading, memorials may be directed to Olivet’s Library Fund; or may be given to the Paws 4 Independence Program, 15612 Prairie Ridge Road, Caledonia, MN  55921.  Coulee Region Cremation Group is assisting the family.

The family expresses very special thanks to the staff at Hillview Health Care Center for the exceptional care given to our mother, and for their attention and concern for her family as we experienced the process of Mom’s death.  We also thank “Pastor Dave” Baldukas and Pastor Luanne Sorenson for their visits with Mom, their prayers for and with her, and for their support of her family as we lay her to rest.

Good bye for now, Mom.  We know we will see you again someday when you reach out your hands to us.  You were an amazing woman who showed great strength through many adversities.  You taught us many things by modeling the behaviors and values that you wanted to instill in your children.  Your sense of humor and fun-loving spirit was a gift to all of us, as well as your feisty nature.  You showed us what being a wonderful, loving mother was all about, and you loved us unconditionally.

We will love you forever.