Annabelle F. Vreeland, 86, of Sturgeon Bay, passed away on December 26, 2012, at Cardinal Ridge Residential Facility. She was born on June 16, 1926, in Batesville, Indiana. Annabelle, or "Belle", as her many friends knew her, was a dental assistant in Cincinnati and served as the President of the Dental Assistants Association. While in Cincinnati, she met Kenneth Vreeland, an engineering student at the University of Cincinnati. The couple was married on August 12, 1950, and later moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin after Ken's graduation. While Belle held numerous positions in medical clinics in Milwaukee, it was in her role as "at home mother" that she really shined. Sharing unconditional love and wisdom with her children, grandchildren, and friends, Belle worked to make the world a more beautiful place. She loved gardening, reading, and quilting.
After spending many happy weekends in Sturgeon Bay, Belle and Ken were able to move there permanently after retirement. Belle quickly became involved with her local church, Sturgeon Bay United Methodist Church, the local P.E.O. chapter, and the Door County Master Gardeners. She loved sharing the beauty of her gardens by bringing bouquets of flowers to people in local nursing homes and hospitals. Her wonderful neighbors and friends were repaid for their good deeds with one of her famous homemade pies.
Belle is survived by her three daughters, Judy (Robert) Gierach, Wautoma, WI; Cheryl (David) Wilms and Jill (Paul) Lidstone, both of Minneapolis, MN; six grandchildren, Eric, Kelley, Mark, Brendon, Alex and Christopher; one great-grandchild, Ayla; and a sister, June (Robert) Hurelbrink of Versailles, IN. She was preceded in death by her husband and 2 brothers, William and Walter.
Memorial services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 12, 2012, at the United Methodist Church, Sturgeon Bay, with the Rev. Joe Mitchell officiating. The family will receive friends after 10:00 a.m. Saturday, in the fellowship hall of the church. Memorials may be given to the Sturgeon Bay United Methodist Church for use in youth ministry or church ground beautification. Inurnment will take place at Bayside Cemetery. Forbes Funeral Home is assisting the family (www.forbesfuneralhome.com).
