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Anne Cherrier

Anne  Cherrier

Anne E. Cherrier, age 101, of Menomonie, died Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007 at the Dunn County Health Care Center.

Anne, the daughter of M. Frederick and Aletta (Andersen) Miller, was born May 7, 1906 in Withee, Wis. She was a teacher when she met Laurence Cherrier, whom she married in 1930. They came to Menomonie in 1935, where in 1941 her husband built the home in which she continued to live until 2003, when she moved to Our House Assisted Living. Anne and her husband owned the Campus Café in the 1950s, and for many years she worked at the Stout Student Union.

Anne’s joy in life lasted until the very end. She loved people and was the center of a wide network of family and friends of all ages and origins. Over 30 years, many of the Stout students who roomed with her became part of her family. With a curious mind, a quick wit, and a warm heart, Anne had wisdom based on her many years of experience. Although straightforward and blunt, she was reluctant to judge. A long-time, active member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Anne was always generous with her time. For years, she delivered “Meals on Wheels” and spent many hours visiting the sick.

Anne never forgot that she had been a teacher and was always conscious of language. She played bridge and was a daunting opponent in word games. Her detailed memory of history was a wonderful resource (she had an opinion of every president since Woodrow Wilson).

Reading was one of her greatest sources of pleasure. Although her eyes had failed, in May of 2007 she was the first Wisconsin recipient of the 102 Award for being over 100 years old and still listening to books on tape from the Library for the Blind. Throughout her long life, Anne’s sharp memory and sense of humor never deserted her.

Anne is survived by her children: Natalie (Richard) Cycenas of Racine, Evelyn (Ronald) Nelson of Chetek, Yvonne (William) Lindsay of Woodbury, Minn, and Paul Cherrier of Altoona; 13 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren, and two step great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Laurence in 1962, a granddaughter Mary Cycenas, two sisters, and three brothers.