Annabelle Smith

Annabelle Smith, 87, Mandan, passed away November 24, 2016 at Sanford Continuing Care Center on Sunset in Mandan surrounded by her family. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, December 2, 2016 at St. Anthony Catholic Church, St. Anthony, ND with Rev. Christopher Kadrmas as celebrant. Burial will be at St. John Cemetery rural Mandan following the funeral service. Visitation will be held Monday, November 28, 2016 from 3:00-8:00 pm at Weigel Funeral Home, with a St. Anthony's Christian Mothers Rosary at 7:00 pm followed by a Parish Vigil. Visitation will continue at the church one hour prior to the service on Friday. Annabelle was born on November 20, 1929 to Peter and Mathilda Gress in Prosser, Washington. The family moved back to the Crown Butte area in 1933. She attended country schools through grade school and graduated from Mandan High School. Annabelle married Robert C. Smith on April 11, 1950 in Mandan. They owned and operated a dairy, beef and small grain farm south of Mandan. Annabelle enjoyed living in the country and she took great pride in being a homemaker and a mother, as well as working beside Bob on the farm. She always made sure visitors to her home did not leave hungry. She also took great pride in her green plants and gardens and tended them with special care. Annabelle worked for 20 plus years as a crop insurance adjuster and loved visiting with the people she was helping. She was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church and the St. Anthony's Christian Mothers. Above all, her family was the center of her life and she took great pride and joy in them. Annabelle will be deeply missed by her daughters, Sherry (Dennis) Gustin and Susan (Elmer) Mattson; sons, Robert (Karen) and Jesse (DeAnna) all of Mandan, ND; 10 grandchildren: Jessica Gustin, Katie (Steve) Stensgard, Sarah (Richie) Heinrich, Randy (Melissa) Mattson, Michelle (Steve) Kaufman, Cody (Chelsey) Smith, Destiny Smith, Hope Smith, Matt Smith and Allison Smith; 8 great-grandchildren: Nicole, Brad, Veronica, Celic, Lauren, Isaac, Clyde, and Lucas; sisters, Shirley Dowd, St. Paul, MN and Mary Kottke, Omaha, NE; brothers Dennis (Dawn) Gress and Frank (Mary) Gress, both of Mandan ND; sisters-in-laws, Shirley Marek, Colorado Springs, CO, LaVerne Gress, Bismarck, ND and Carol Gress, Williston, ND; along with numerous nieces and nephews. Annabelle was preceded in death by her husband Bob who died on October 21, 1991; her parents; granddaughter, Rachel Smith; sister, JoAnn (Ben) Ackerson; brothers, Paul Gress and Harry Gress; and brothers-in-law, Jack Dowd, Joe Marek, and Lawrence (Betty) Smith.