Annabelle Erwin

Monday, July 11, 2011
Annabelle Erwin

Our Grammy, Annabelle Erwin, 104, died peacefully in her home in Bruneau, with family by her side, on July 11, 2011.

A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., on Monday, July 18, at the Bruneau American Legion Hall with last rites conducted by Star of the West #35, Order of the Eastern Star. Interment will be held at 4 p.m., at the Richfield Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel in Mountain Home.

Annabelle was born Dece. 26, 1906, in Eagle Grove, Iowa, to Fred and Mary I. Schroeder.

After schooling, which included a degree from a Normal School giving her credentials to teach, she came to the Magic Valley to live with her uncle in 1927.

She was employed in several one-room schools, including Sugar Loaf and North Shoshone.

She met Alan ³Happy² Erwin of Richfield and they were married in 1937.

Subsequently, they farmed in Richfield, Appleton, Hagerman and Bruneau. He died in 1979.

Since her early married life, Annabelle was a member of the Order of Eastern Star. She served in many of the chairs and was Worthy Matron in Hagerman in 1960.

She taught Sunday School from the time she was about 40 until she turned 98.

Annabelle is survived by three children and their families: Sidney and Judy Erwin of Bruneau; Roy and Mary Erwin Mink of Worley, and Frank and Peggy Erwin of Hagerman. Her grandchildren are: Russell and Deidre Erwin, Bruneau; Phillip and Heather Erwin, Portland, Ore.; Kenneth Erwin, Bruneau;

Col. Gary and Nancy Mink Schneider, Lisbon, Portugal; Keith Mink, Fort Hall, Idaho; Danise Doty Mink, Boise; Michael and Jenneli Mink, Melbourne, Australia; Paul and Angela Erwin Lauritzen, Hagerman. Great-grandchildren are: Kaitlin, Travis, Mitchell and Ainsley Erwin; Daniel and Aaron Lauritzen; Riley and Jackson Erwin; Krickette Doty; and Haley Schneider.

Several nieces and nephews survive her.

In addition to her husband and her parents, two brothers and a sister predeceased Annabelle.

Annabelle resided at Cedar Crest Retirement Center in Mountain home until recently. She continued to be active in the Bruneau Community Church, the Bruneau Ladies Aid and the monthly Bruneau Library programs.

She was an avid reader and enjoyed corresponding with her young friends and playing bingo with the residents of Cedar Crest.

Memorials may be directed to the Bruneau Ladies Aid, P.O. Box 664, Bruneau, ID 83604; or Bruneau QRU, P.O. Box 294, Bruneau, ID 83604; or a charity of choice.