Ann Katherine Stehr
11/17/1919 – 7/26/2011
Ann K. Stehr, 91, of Sioux Falls, SD, and formerly of Minot, ND, died Tuesday, July 26, 2011, at the Sanford Hospice Cottage in Sioux Falls.
Ann Katherine Grimm was born on November 17, 1919, in Lefor, ND, to George and Maria (Kress) Grimm. At the age of four, Ann’s family moved to Gladstone. Ann received her education there, graduating from high school in 1939. She soon met and married William (Bill) Stehr on October 29, 1941. Before Bill left for the War in 1942, the couple moved to Minot. Ann soon settled in to working and actively participating in Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church where she was a member of St. Anne’s Altar Society. She also was a member of the ladies auxiliary of the Moose Lodge. Ann’s main job was working at the Trinity Medical Center in the nursery as a Nurse’s aide. She saw many babies’ entry into the world including several of her own family. Bill passed away February 1, 1991. Following her husband’s death, she continued to reside in Minot until 2004, when she moved to Sioux Falls to be closer to her family.
Ann led a very active and fun loving life. Besides her involvement in her church, Ann loved to read, gardening, arts and crafts, and going out to eat, especially breakfast, with her buddies at Ryan’s restaurant. Ann kept everyone guessing what she would do next like the time in her 70’s when she went out shooting clay pigeons. She is also credited with teaching all of her grandchildren on how to play Rummy- you know, make up the rules as she went, and flipping the top card “by accident” to see if she really wanted it! She also loved to play Bingo and was rumored to slip off to the casinos occasionally for a little fun. Another highlight of Ann’s life was the night at Norsk Hostfest when Charlie Pride reached out and kissed her hand during a concert.
Ann will be deeply missed by her family including her two daughters, LaVonne Knapper, Sioux Falls, SD, and Bev (Doug) Stout, Independence, LA; one son; Lonnie (Lynn Lane) Stehr, Libby, MT; her grandchildren, Bonnie (Curt) Like, Kimberly Robinson, Shelly Steever, Dustin (Shalayna) Knapper, Randy (Michelle) Stout, Billy Stout, and Dorcus (Robbie) Martin; grandson-in-law, Paul Sanders; twenty-two great-grandchildren; and four great great-grandchildren.
Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Bill; her parents; one granddaughter, Jodi Sanders; one grandson-in-law, Jeff Steever (who coined the phrase, “It all started with Ann”); and two brothers; and three sisters.
Mass of Christian Burial: Saturday, July 30, 2011, at 9:00 am, at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Minot, ND.
Interment will follow at Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.
Visitation: Friday, July 29, from 5 pm to 7 pm at the Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.
Vigil Prayer Service: Friday at 7 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials: are preferred to Sanford Hospice in Sioux Falls, SD.
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