February 21, 1919 - June 18, 2016

 

Anna Hackett
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Anna Mae Hackett joined her family in heaven on June 18, 2016. She was born February 21, 1919 to Hans and Rose Mikkelson of Clontarf, MN. After completing high school, she studied to become a Registered Nurse at St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Minneapolis. While in nursing school, she met William (Bill) Hackett, who later joined the service during WW II. They were married in 1942 in Mississippi, in the Catholic chapel on Bill’s base at 6 AM to the sounds of the army brass playing “Reveille”. Ann wore a simple white linen suit and carried a bouquet of Tropicana roses. Their wedding reception consisted of breakfast with a few friends, then it was back to duty for Bill.

After Bill’s discharge, they settled in Paynesville where Ann worked at the hospital and clinic. She recalled giving the first available dose of penicillin to a patient for a previously lethal infection. Ann also volunteered her time to take care of many home bound patients. She was a caregiver her entire life and always celebrated the gifts God had given her. She lived life with gratitude, enjoyed gardening, and loved her family. Ann and Bill were active members of St. Louis Catholic Church in Paynesville where they raised their family. They moved to St. Benedict Senior Community in St. Cloud in 2001.

Ann is survived by four daughters, Mary (Daniel) Wadsworth of Wyoming, MN, Patty (Chris Reicher) of Sauk Rapids, MN, Peggy (Mike) Mereness of Shoreview, MN, and Theresa (David) Theige of Moorhead, MN, and nine grandchildren, Stephen (Rebecca) Wadsworth, Zeb and Ella Hackett-Reicher, Emily Mereness (Ryan Potswald), Rachel (Steve) Anderson, Sam (Coralis Rodriguez) Mereness and Melissa, Kathryn, and Jonathan Theige. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, her parents, 9 siblings, 2 grandchildren and countless friends.

Ann was buried at a private family service. A Mass of Remembrance will be celebrated on July 2, at 1:00 PM (lunch will follow) at St. Benedict Senior Community in St. Cloud, MN. In lieu of flowers or monetary gifts, please do what Ann would have done — be kind and generous to those around you.

 

 

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