Annella Mary Ringwelski, 92, of Bowlus, passed away March 5, 2023, at Serenity Village in Avon.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m., Tuesday, March 21, at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Bowlus. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m., Monday, March 20, and one hour prior to Mass March 21 at the church.
Annella was born July 16, 1930, in Elmdale, to Joseph and Edith (Schneider) Kopka.
She graduated from Upsala High School in 1949 and then attended St. Mary’s Nursing College in Rochester where she received her licensed practical nurse degree. She worked at St. Mary’s Hospital until moving to Minneapolis where she worked at the University of Minnesota Heart Hospital. There she worked with the doctor who invented the pacemaker. She remained there for 10 years before marrying Leo Kroll in 1960. After Annella was married, she continued working as a nurse in Little Falls until they started a family. In 1967, Leo and Annella moved to the Bowlus farm. After Leo’s passing in 1970, Annella remained on the farm. In 1973, Annella married Joseph Ringwelski, and they farmed for 44 years until Joe’s passing in 2017.
Annella enjoyed gardening, farming, baking, canning, crocheting afghans, dancing, traveling, being outdoors and spending time with family. She was a woman of strong faith, who was an active member of the Rosary Society, Christian Mothers and St. Stanislaus Church choir for many years.
Left to cherish her memory are her children, Duane (Rose) Kroll and Joyce (Dave) Matsuoka; stepchildren Pat (Ivan) Baggenstoss, Kathleen Ohotto and Tom (Mary) Ringwelski; sister Hilaria Rader; grandchildren Christopher, Nicholas, Amy (John), Jane (Brian), Casey (Tim), Joe, Dana (Tanner), Sara (Jon), DesiRae (Tim), TJ (Danielle), Matthew and Carlee; stepgrandchildren Erin (Aaron), Ben (Rachael), Meghan, Matt and Molly (Isaac); and many great-grandchildren.
Annella is preceded in death by her parents, first husband Leo Kroll, second husband Joseph Ringwelski and brothers William and Anthony Kopka.
A heartfelt thank you to Serenity Village and Moments Hospice for their tender care of Annella.
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