Annie L Appel

Annie L. Appel of Bonita Springs, Florida passed away peacefully with her loving family at her bedside at HCA Florida Largo Hospital in Largo, Florida on January 16, 2026. Her funeral was held on January 20, at Naples Jewish Congregation followed by burial at Palm Royale Cemetery in Naples, Florida.

Annie was born on March 31, 1949 in Battle Creek, Michigan, the first born of Max and Shirley (née Ullman) Konigsberg. She was a graduate of Western Michigan University and did graduate work at Michigan State University. She married Daniel M. Appel of Fort Wayne, Indiana on September 4, 1977 at Congregation of Moses in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Annie and Dan are the proud parents of two sons, Gerry (Doreen) of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Steve (Rachel) of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, and the loving grandparents of Brenna and Heather of Eden Prairie. In addition to her loving husband, sons and grandchildren, Annie is also survived by her sister, Pam (Steve) Laffer of Pompey, New York; her nephews, Scott Laffer of Rochester, New York, and Todd Laffer of Syracuse, New York; and her aunt, Sally Israel, and uncle, Bill Israel, of Seminole, Florida.

Annie was a resident of Fort Wayne, Indiana from 1977 to 2014 before moving with Dan to Bonita Springs in 2014.

Annie's mother died when Annie was five years old, and by age twelve she had taken on the responsibility of caring for her sister Pam, as well as cooking and cleaning.

Her compassion and love carried into adulthood. Drawing strength from the challenges of growing up in a fractured home, she provided her family with structure, stability, and unconditional love. She cared deeply for her friends and had a remarkable ability to connect with those she had just met. These qualities led to her to be loved by all.

In Fort Wayne, Annie was a principal and teacher in the Congregation B'nai Jacob religious school and a long-time volunteer in Southwest Allen County Schools.

In Florida, she was a volunteer at Naples Jewish Congregation and loved to cook.

Throughout her health struggles, Annie was regarded as a fighter by family, friends, and her doctors and nurses. She bravely faced and survived cancer, then battled the complications of treatment and heart disease, driven by her deep love for her family and her wish to be there for those she cared about.

She will be missed for her love, strength, and kindness to others.

The family wishes to thank the offices of Annie's cardiologist, gastroenterologist, and oncologist, as well as the doctors, nurses, and staff at M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina, Minnesota; NCH Baker Downtown Hospital in Naples, Florida; and HCA Florida Largo Hospital in Largo, Florida.