Annabelle Jean (Ranney) Erickson was born in Benson, Minn. on Oct. 4, 1940, as the youngest of five children to John and Viola (Steen) Ranney. She grew up on the family farm and graduated from Benson High School. She attended the Minnesota School of Business, graduated in 1959, and then worked as a secretary in Minneapolis.

On Feb. 18, 1961, Annabelle was united in marriage to Ralph Erickson in Benson, Minn., and she remained devoted to him for 64 years until her passing, following the example of her own parents, which she fondly recalled as lovingly devoted to each other all their lives. This marriage was blessed with two sons, Jon and James. They lived in Minneapolis, Minn. from 1961 until 1972 and then moved to Red Wing, Minn. from 1972 until 2004. Annabelle worked as a financial caseworker in the welfare department for Goodhue County and retired in 1989. In 2004, Annabelle and Ralph moved to Fairmont, Minn. to be closer to children and grandchildren.

Annabelle was a member of the First Covenant Church in Red Wing and sang in the church choir, and when they moved to Fairmont she became a member of the United Methodist Church in Fairmont where she was involved in the Rachel Circle. Her faith ran deep and was demonstrated through love and care and service in her church and family.

In her earlier years, Annabelle enjoyed sewing, decorating and home improvement, and she took great pride in her home. In retirement, she and Ralph enjoyed traveling and they made several tours of locations in the United States and Europe. They also enjoyed snow-birding in Florida for 15 years. Within the extended family, she was famous for her overnight cookies and her wallpapering and painting skills, which she shared freely and lovingly. She was always ready to pitch in on anyone’s home improvement project, and was known to pack her “painting clothes” when visiting children and grandchildren if there was chance of working on a project.

Those left to cherish her memory include her loving husband of sixty-four years, Ralph Erickson of Fairmont; sons, Jon (Donna) Erickson of Fairmont and Jim (Ann) Erickson of Fairmont; grandchildren, Kurt (Sarah) Erickson, Linnea (Josh) Vu, John Erickson, Peter Erickson and Dan Erickson; great-grandchildren, Liam, Ella, Max, Nora and Gracie; brother, David (Marlys) Ranney of Plymouth; sister, Janet Prall of Mahtomedi; and many nieces, nephews and other extended family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Viola Ranney; siblings, Carol Ranney and Marion Oglesby.

www.lakeviewfuneralhome.net

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