Annie Essner

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Annie Mary Essner, 97, of Chaffee passed away Wednesday, July 26, 2017, at Ratliff Care Center in Cape Girardeau.

She was born Feb. 10, 1920, in Scott County, the first daughter of the late Albert and Bertha Heuring Schwartz Sr. She married Frank J. Essner on Nov. 27, 1945, and he preceded her in death in August 1986.

Annie was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She never tired of caring for her family and home.

Her hobbies included gardening, canning, playing cards and quilting. She was an active member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church and Daughters of St. Ambrose, Veterans of Foreign Wars No. 3127, RSVP, Saint Francis Medical Center Auxiliary and Chaffee Nursing Home, volunteering as a Eucharistic minister.

Annie officially retired from public work at age 84 but continued to cook large wedding dinners until age 91.

She never met a stranger and always was willing to lend a helping hand.

Survivors include her eight children, Bob (Jean) Essner of Joplin, Missouri, Diane Essner of Cape Girardeau, Frank (fiancee Lisa Cooley) Essner of Bloomsdale, Missouri, Mary (Jim) Teegarden of Overland Park, Kansas, Gerald (Maralyn) Essner, Daniel (Cheryl) Essner and Theresa Essner, all of Cape Girardeau, and Mark (Linda) Essner of Olive Branch, Mississippi; 10 grandchildren, Kristi (Steve) Essner-Eller, Angela (Ronnie) Senciboy, Jamie (Mitchell) Sander, Dr. Jennifer (Doug Turner) Teegarden, Frannie Essner, Lachelle (Steven) Bucher, Jon (fiancee Jessi Green) Teegarden, Gerrett (Tebra) Essner, Erica (Casey) Koenigstein and Adam Essner; and 14 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; three brothers; and three sisters.

Friends may call after 3:30 p.m. today at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Chaffee. Parish rosary will be at 4 p.m. There also will be a visitation from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Ambrose Church.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the church, with the Revs. Randy Tochtrop and Allan Saunders as concelebrants. Burial will be at St. Ambrose Catholic Cemetery in Chaffee.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Ambrose church or school.

Online condolences may be shared at www.amick-burnettfuneralchapels.com.