Ann Jeanette (Schroeder) Boese was born February 9, 1930, to David and Anna (Krause) Schroeder at their home on the farm in rural Goessel. She was the second of six siblings: Earl, Lois, David Paul, Jean, and Ivan. She was born during the Dirty 30’s and the Great Depression, times were hard. Her first six years of formal education were spent at Good Hope School in rural Goessel. Her family moved east of Newton to the Elbing area where she attended the Foster School. After she graduated from the 8th grade her family moved to Goessel where she attended and graduated from Goessel High School.
On June 9, 1946, she was baptized on her confession of faith by Reverend P.A. Wedel and received her membership into the Alexanderwhol Mennonite Church.
During her work for Henry Wedel, she became friends with Martha Boese. Through their friendship she met Arthur Boese. They started dating and eventually married on October 4, 1949. They started their life together living in Brainard and the Potwin area where Art had a farm job. While living there they attended the Emmaus Mennonite Church and joined their membership. On September 6, 1952, they were blessed with a son, Robert Keith.
In August of 1956, Art and Ann were able to rent a farm 2 miles north of Goessel and started farming on their own. They then transferred their church membership to Alexanderwhol Mennonite Church where they remained members throughout their lives. On January 3, 1962, they were blessed with another son, Rodney Dale.
In 1971, Ann started working at the Bethel Deaconess Hospital, later known as Newton Medical Center, to supplement their income. She worked in the hospital for 22 years as a nurse’s aide and later transferred to the Central Service Department. In 1993, she retired to become full time farmer’s wife and babysitter for her grandchildren and Art.
In her free time, she enjoyed many hobbies including volunteering at the Senior Center, gardening, quilting, and embroidering. Her favorite hobby included spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed sharing her skills with them like cooking, sewing, gardening and crafts. With so many boys around there was always mischief and pranks happening. She took them all in stride with a ruler in hand.
Ann is preceded in death by her parents: David and Anna (Krause) Schroeder, husband: Arthur Boese, brothers: Earl and David Paul, brothers-in-law: Irvin and Johnny Boese, Rudy Newfield, Ralph Janzen, sisters-in-law: Martha Boese, Edma (Pankratz) Boese and Racine Schroeder, and great-grandchild Asher Boese.
Ann is survived by sons: Robert (Bob) and Rodney, and daughter-in law: Sherry (Koch) Boese, brother: Ivan, sisters: Lois Janzen, Jean Newfield, sisters-in-law: Ester Schroeder and Joyce Watts, grandchildren: Mike Boese, Jeff Boese, Dallas and Deena (Hiebert) Boese, Tim and Emily (Allison) Boese, Kristina (Boese) and Tony Conrady, James Boese, and numerous nieces, nephews, and great-grandchildren.
While another year has swiftly drawn to a close, let us remember that time may pass, but the love and memories we hold for Ann live on and bring peace to our hearts.
Graveside services will be held at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, January 6, 2024 at Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church Cemetery, with memorial services to follow at 3:30 p.m., at the church. Family will greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, January 5, 2024 at Miller-Ott Funeral Home, Goessel. Memorial contributions may be made to Bethesda Home or Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church in care of Miller-Ott Funeral Home, PO Box 96, Goessel, KS 67053.