Annette Riess Grove, 78, of Belleville, Illinois, born February 23, 1939 in Mascoutah, Illinois, died Saturday, May 13, 2017, peacefully in the comfort of her home.
In a hurry to arrive, Annette was born at home – a joyful addition to a loving family which included two brothers and a sister who had long prayed for her arrival. Though born with a visual disability, she was blessed with empowering parents who were committed to raising a strong and independent young woman.
Annette loved learning and saw most opportunities as a way to either gain or impart knowledge. After graduating from Mascoutah Community High School in 1957, she attended MacMurray College and earned a BA in Psychology and Sociology in 1961. That same year, she began a career in human development working as a counselor for the Illinois Department of Mental Health in Urbana. Many years later with yet more to be mastered, she secured both an MBA and an MA in Health Service Management from Webster University in 1994.
Dedicated to the same field of work, Annette met her future husband, Richard “Dick” Grove, while both were attending a conference in St. Louis, Missouri. He was tall, handsome, and happened to be blind. As kindred spirits with complementary personalities, they married on May 20, 1962, in Decatur, Illinois. Together, over the next 38 years, they championed the God-given potential of all people.
Making their home in Belleville, the couple raised three sons to honor God, work diligently, live with intention, and pay forward the blessings of life. She enjoyed putting her own spin on family life and considered every day a gift not to be wasted. She reveled in celebrating Christmas with an international flair, adding mystery ingredients to meals, charting family vacations on the Greyhound Bus, and leading family adventures on their trademark tandem bicycle. Annette was never happier than when she could be with her sons – preferably all at the same time.
With the boys enrolled in school, Annette resumed her career by joining MERS Missouri Goodwill Industries where she served in ever-expanding roles before eventually retiring as Vice-President. Her rest was short-lived, however, as duty called again and she joined the team of Goodwill Industries International. During this encore career, she traveled the country continuously. Many family and friends lived vicariously through her frequent on-line updates that provided a virtual memoir of a non-stop life. Upon retiring in December 2016, Annette had served in the Goodwill family for 40 impactful years.
An active faith was always an integral part of Annette’s life. She worshipped at First United Presbyterian Church in Belleville, served as an elder and led as moderator of the local Presbyterian Women where she emphasized serving the needs of others. She had great memories of serving together with Dick on a mission project to Montana and then on her own in Guatemala where she built cinderblock homes for the poor. At age 76, she tackled her first half-marathon to raise funds for the Christian relief organization, World Vision.
Annette’s circle of friends was wide and diverse. She possessed the gifts of discernment, encouragement, and admonishment and used them liberally to help many find their own path in life. She once reflected that she “would like to be remembered as a friend to the friendless, a coach to those willing to learn to better their life situation, an advocate for those unable to represent themselves, an ambassador of hope, goodwill and good humor, and a child of God, blessed by the love of Jesus Christ.”
Annette was preceded in death by her parents Elmer and Anne Riess, her husband Dick Grove, brothers Roland Riess and Donald Riess, brother-in-law Robert Welch, sister-in-law Shirley Grove, great grandchildren Kinsley Grove and Braelynn Grove, nephew Jeff Riess, great-nephew Lance Larson and niece Terri Grove.
Carrying on the family legacy are her three sons and their families: Allen and Debbie Grove of Monett, Missouri; David and Stephanie Grove of Swansea, Illinois; and Colin and Briana Grove of Verona, Wisconsin; as well as her grandchildren: Tiffany Grove, Justin and Sara Grove, Emily Grove, Samantha and Greg Jones, Matthew Grove, Megan Grove, Lauren Grove and Stephanie Brower; and her great-grandchildren Karleigh Barker, Bryar Barker, Paisley Jones and Anslie Brower. She is further survived by her devoted sister Marilyn Welch, treasured sisters-in-law June Riess and Jean Riess, brother-in-law Robert Grove, dear nieces, nephews, and cousins, a loving church family and a host of other long-time and recent friends.
Memorial gifts are appreciated to: FUPC Missions at firstunitedpres.org, Hands to Help at handstohelpnfp.org or World Vision at worldvision.org. Condolences can be sent to mollfunerlhome.com.
Visitation: Visitation is scheduled for Friday, May 19 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, May 20 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at First United Presbyterian Church, 1303 Royal Heights Rd, Belleville.
Funeral: The funeral is scheduled for Saturday, May 20 at 11 a.m. at the church. Burial will be at Mascoutah City Cemetery, Mascoutah, IL.
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