Late Monday evening, June 2, 2014, with the family present by her bedside, in her Shakopee home, Ann W. Sweeney, entered the eternal arms of God peacefully. Family will greet guests on Thursday, June 5 from 4-7 pm at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, 833 S Marschall Road, Shakopee and also one hour prior to the service at church. The Celebration of Life Service will be held Friday, June 6, 2014, at 10:00 am, at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 119 Eighth Avenue West, Shakopee, MN. The Reverend Randall Romsdahl will lead the service. Ann will be laid to rest at Deerwood Scandia Cemetery, in Deerwood, MN, at 3 pm.
Gracing this world on Thursday, May 30, 1946 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Ann Louise was born the only child to proud parents, George and Emily (Hauser) Worgren. As a young child, Ann learned quite quickly how to be brave, how to be strong and how to stay positive in life. At the age of 2, her mother passed and at the age of 9, her father passed. Ann was raised and felt so loved by a caring aunt and uncle, which took her into their home, in New Bedford, MA. Her new family was active in the church, allowing her to partake in many activities, such as teaching Sunday school and vacationing with other families. Ann graduated from New Bedford High School in 1964.
Ann met the love of her life, Donald Edward Anderson, while Christmas caroling with the church. They started courting and on January 1, 1966, they declared their love for each other, at Elim Baptist Church, in New Bedford, MA. They were blessed with three beautiful daughters, Carolyn, Sonya and Kara. Most of Ann’s career was in administration for St. Francis Hospital and State Farm Insurance in Waconia. Being a wife and mother were most important to her. The family moved all around the United States due to Don’s job, but finally settled their roots in Shakopee. As a family, they enjoyed roughing it in a tent and exploring all the beauty of Minnesota. A love for music, Ann would find her children sitting on the floor listening to her play the piano or Don playing the drums and at other times learning how to square dance in the living room. In 1996, Ann and Don moved to Crosby, MN, hoping to enjoy life, but life changed for both of them with Don passing on December 17, 1996.
In 2002, Ann’s life was once again brightened, by a tall handsome man, named Gerald Sweeney. On a beautiful day in the backyard of their home in Blaine, they too declared their love for each other. As a couple, they enjoyed camping at Cozy Corners Campground and sunsets on cruise ships.
In her free time, Ann loved to bowl, throw darts, completed crossword puzzles, tackle a game of Sudoku and even crochet blankets. She also enjoyed being active in the Elks Lodge and the SIDS Foundation. But her biggest passion in life was her family. Ann was always bragging about her daughter’s successes and was extremely proud of being a grandma, with being a great-grandma being her biggest accomplishment. But through life, she overcame many obstacles; deaths, health issues (CLL, breast cancer and MDS) and whatever else came Ann’s ways. But she wasn’t afraid to live her life – what will be…will be. There is one word that describes Ann…”STRONG.” Strong willed, strong faith, strong attitude.
Left to honor Ann’s life and mourn the death is her husband, Gerald; children, Carolyn (David) Reeves of Bartlett, IL, Sonya (Cliff) Peterson of Watertown, Kara (Joe) Ness of Victoria; grandchildren, Emily Madrid, Megan Brueggemeier, Richard Madrid, Justin Brueggemeier and Jacob Peterson; great-grandson, Rhalen Madrid-Canarr; brother-in-law Jeff (Roberta) Anderson of Huntsville, AL; sister-in-law, Lillian Duarte of St. Petersburg, FL; other relatives and friends.
Preceded in death and there to welcome Ann home in heaven is her first husband, Donald Anderson and parents. Pallbearers for Ann will be grandsons, Richard Madrid, Justin Brueggemeier, Jacob Peterson, sons-in-law, Cliff Peterson and Joe Ness and brother-in-law, Jeff Anderson.
