Ann W. Sweeney
Posted By Ballard Sunder Funeral Home On June 3, 2014 @ 11:05 am In 2014,Obituaries | 11 Comments
Late Monday evening, June 2, 2014, with the family present by her bedside, in her Shakopee home, Ann W. Sweeney, entered the eternal arms of God peacefully. Family will greet guests on Thursday, June 5 from 4-7 pm at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, 833 S Marschall Road, Shakopee and also one hour prior to the service at church. The Celebration of Life Service will be held Friday, June 6, 2014, at 10:00 am, at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 119 Eighth Avenue West, Shakopee, MN. The Reverend Randall Romsdahl will lead the service. Ann will be laid to rest at Deerwood Scandia Cemetery, in Deerwood, MN, at 3 pm.
Gracing this world on Thursday, May 30, 1946 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Ann Louise was born the only child to proud parents, George and Emily (Hauser) Worgren. As a young child, Ann learned quite quickly how to be brave, how to be strong and how to stay positive in life. At the age of 2, her mother passed and at the age of 9, her father passed. Ann was raised and felt so loved by a caring aunt and uncle, which took her into their home, in New Bedford, MA. Her new family was active in the church, allowing her to partake in many activities, such as teaching Sunday school and vacationing with other families. Ann graduated from New Bedford High School in 1964.
Ann met the love of her life, Donald Edward Anderson, while Christmas caroling with the church. They started courting and on January 1, 1966, they declared their love for each other, at Elim Baptist Church, in New Bedford, MA. They were blessed with three beautiful daughters, Carolyn, Sonya and Kara. Most of Ann’s career was in administration for St. Francis Hospital and State Farm Insurance in Waconia. Being a wife and mother were most important to her. The family moved all around the United States due to Don’s job, but finally settled their roots in Shakopee. As a family, they enjoyed roughing it in a tent and exploring all the beauty of Minnesota. A love for music, Ann would find her children sitting on the floor listening to her play the piano or Don playing the drums and at other times learning how to square dance in the living room. In 1996, Ann and Don moved to Crosby, MN, hoping to enjoy life, but life changed for both of them with Don passing on December 17, 1996.
In 2002, Ann’s life was once again brightened, by a tall handsome man, named Gerald Sweeney. On a beautiful day in the backyard of their home in Blaine, they too declared their love for each other. As a couple, they enjoyed camping at Cozy Corners Campground and sunsets on cruise ships.
In her free time, Ann loved to bowl, throw darts, completed crossword puzzles, tackle a game of Sudoku and even crochet blankets. She also enjoyed being active in the Elks Lodge and the SIDS Foundation. But her biggest passion in life was her family. Ann was always bragging about her daughter’s successes and was extremely proud of being a grandma, with being a great-grandma being her biggest accomplishment. But through life, she overcame many obstacles; deaths, health issues (CLL, breast cancer and MDS) and whatever else came Ann’s ways. But she wasn’t afraid to live her life – what will be…will be. There is one word that describes Ann…”STRONG.” Strong willed, strong faith, strong attitude.
Left to honor Ann’s life and mourn the death is her husband, Gerald; children, Carolyn (David) Reeves of Bartlett, IL, Sonya (Cliff) Peterson of Watertown, Kara (Joe) Ness of Victoria; grandchildren, Emily Madrid, Megan Brueggemeier, Richard Madrid, Justin Brueggemeier and Jacob Peterson; great-grandson, Rhalen Madrid-Canarr; brother-in-law Jeff (Roberta) Anderson of Huntsville, AL; sister-in-law, Lillian Duarte of St. Petersburg, FL; other relatives and friends.
Preceded in death and there to welcome Ann home in heaven is her first husband, Donald Anderson and parents. Pallbearers for Ann will be grandsons, Richard Madrid, Justin Brueggemeier, Jacob Peterson, sons-in-law, Cliff Peterson and Joe Ness and brother-in-law, Jeff Anderson.
Offer Condolence for the family of Ann W. Sweeney
Print Obituary & Condolences Condolences for the family of “Ann W. Sweeney”
May God’s love and the love and caring of friends and family surround you at this most difficult time of loss. I hope Ann’s faith and strength will inspire and help you ,as well as the rest of us, on our journey. Although I did not really know Ann, I know her daughter Kara, as she is married to my son. The legacy of Ann’s strength and courage is visible in Kara.
Please accept my my most sincere sympathy, love and prayers.
Words cannot express the feelings of sympathy that I have for you, Sonya, your sisters and your families. Through the years of our friendship I have come to see how your relationship with your mom means to you. I hope that it does brings you some peace to know that once again your mother and father are together. My heart is saddened for you today, however there is a slight smile on my face to think that now she is the one dancing in the rain.
I’m so sorry for your loss thoughts and prayers with u all
I am feeling so blessed being able to read this obituary- Sonya and family- I am sad for your loss, sad for your mom’s young life – losing her parents at such a tender age, but how she comes out the victrix by the Grace of God.
My condolences to the family. Husband, children, grandchildren, great grandchild and others who shared her life.
Dear Anderson Family, My heart goes out to you and I am so sorry for your loss! I have so many fond memories of your mother and your family from the Bonnevista Days. Sending you hugs and prays of comfort.
Ann was the strongest woman I have ever met. I was blessed to be her neighbor for a few years. My boys and I will miss her terribly. God bless you Ann.
We are so sorry to hear of Ann’s passing. May God be with you all during this trying time. Be strong, your mother would want that. If there is anything we can do, please let us!!!! We are so sorry we didn’t attend, but Tim had surgery on his knee and can’t get around very good. Our love is with you all. Take care, your mother was a wonderful caring women, it’s truly a loss!!!!! Much Love to all..
My sincere sympathy, thoughts and prayers to all of you. Ann’s love of family and her kind spirit will always be remembered. There are so many emotions at a time like this but someone told me long ago…..when you hold your memories close, you never really lose those you love
I was so sorry to hear of Ann’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. She was always so very proud of her girls. She will be greatly missed. Hugs.. Annie
Occasionally I search for friends from the past. Ann and I met as counsellors at Tispaquin Camp in Massachusetts in 1962. She and I experienced a wonderful short summer together enjoying our friendship and the children we served. I last saw her in the fall of 1962 when my folks and I visited with her and her aunt and uncle in New Bedford. I remember a vivacious young lady who knew the Lord. God bless her family and her memory.
Click here to print.
Article printed from Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation: https://www.ballardsunderfuneral.com
URL to article: https://www.ballardsunderfuneral.com/anne-sweeney/
Click here to print.
Copyright © 2015 Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation. All rights reserved.
God sustain and bless you in this time of loss and grief. We are consoled by Ann’s strong, abiding faith, and her witness to us about the power we receive through God’s holy presence in our lives.