Annunciata Marie (Wildeman) Weber, 88, of Park, departed this life on February 26, 2019, at the Sheridan County Long Term Care Unit, in Hoxie.
The oldest child of Daniel and Mary (Ziegler) Wildeman, Ann was born at home, May 29, 1930, east of Park. Ann and her family moved to their new sod house south of Grainfield when she was 5 years old. She had many stories of living in a “soddy”. She attended grade school in rural Grainfield and graduated from Grainfield High School in 1949.
Ann worked at the Grainfield grocery store and bank until the love of her life returned from the Korean War. Annunciata was united in marriage to Aloysius Weber on May 18, 1953. To this union were born seven children, Gwendolyn, Dan, Allan, Marita, Stacy, Kevin and Alanna.
Al and Ann began their married life on the Weber farm south of Park. In 1957, they moved to their new home 2 miles north of Park. Ann was proud to work alongside her husband Al on the family farm for over 60 years. They also ran a grocery store in Park in the early 80’s. She was a devoted mother who gave her children a strong faith foundation. She taught them the importance of prayer. Countless blessed candles were burned over the years when she knew of someone’s suffering or needs.
Ann learned to crochet in her mid-forties. Each grandchild received one of Grandma’s afghans as a high school graduation gift and many more were given as wedding gifts.
Al was the gardener, and Ann was the canner of all his produce. No one can dispute how wonderful her cinnamon pickles were, and she would make dill pickles by the crock-full! She also spent hours turning farm fresh eggs into home made noodles. What a treat it was to snitch some of those noodles as they were spread out on the beds to dry! And many of her grandchildren had the experience of cleaning chickens with Grandma Weber. Grandma’s Chicken & Noodles were the best!
In June of 2018, Ann had to leave the home that “her honey had built for her”. The last several months of her life were spent at the Long Term Care in Hoxie. She enjoyed making new friends and playing bingo to win prizes for her great-grandchildren. She also enjoyed the weekly Mass when Fr. Kevin could come out from Salina, and Thursday afternoon Rosary group.
Ann was a lifetime member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the altar society and the VFW auxiliary.
Ann was preceded in death by her husband Al; parents, Dan and Mary Wildeman; step-mother Wanda Wildeman; brothers Pius and Francis; infant sister Caroline, and sisters-in-law, Neyla Kippes and Fran Wildeman.
She is survived by her children, Gwen (Kevin) Offutt, of Healy, Dan (Vickie) Weber, of Park, Allan (Connie) Weber, of Quinter, Marty (Herb) Cressler, of Hoxie, Stacy (Jerry) Wagoner, of Haxtun, CO, Fr. Kevin Weber, of Salina and Alanna (Laura) Woodward-Weber, of Healy; 18 grandchildren and 35 great grandchildren; brother Vernard Wildeman; sister-in-law Doreen Wildeman, and brother-in-law Gene Kippes.
Visitation is 5-7:00 p.m. Sunday, March 3, 2019, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Park, with a Vigil at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass is 11:00 a.m. Monday, March 4, 2019, also at the church, with burial to follow in the church cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the Sheridan County Benefit Walk or the Diocese of Salina Vocations Education Fund, in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 204, Oakley, KS 67748. For condolences or information visit www.baalmannmortuary.com
