Annabelle Mae Fenske

Annabelle Fenske, 90, passed away peacefully on September 29th, 2025 at Lily Meadows, Westfield, Wisconsin. She was born on April 5th, 1935 to Roy and Anna (Boelke) Patten. Annabelle attended Coloma Grade School, was a 1953 graduate of Westfield High School and received her teaching degree from the Wautoma Community Teacher’s College, and her bachelor’s degree from the University of Stevens Point. She married Howard Fenske on June 10, 1967 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Richford, Wisconsin and together they had three children, John, Daniel, and Jennifer.

Annabelle lived a wonderful life filled with adventure and purpose. She spent her childhood in the Coloma/Richford area, where her roots remained strong throughout her life. In her early years, she worked at Kroger’s and St. John Lutheran Church in Madison before beginning a rewarding career in education. She taught at Eden, Coloma, and Westfield Elementary Schools, where her passion for teaching and dedication to her students left a lasting impression. Among her many pupils, she was especially proud to have taught former Milwaukee Brewers second baseman, Jim Gantner. Later, Annabelle joined her husband, Howard, at Mt. Morris Mutual Insurance Company, where they worked side by side building the business. She retired after over 20 years of dedicated service.

A devoted member of St. Peters Lutheran Church in Richford, Annabelle actively shared her time and talents by playing the piano and organ, singing in the choir, and serving as the Sunday School Superintendent. Beyond her church involvement, she was an active member of several community organizations, including the Coloma Historical Society, the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Auxiliary, Midstate Honkers–Ducks Unlimited, Friends of the Coloma Library, and the Order of the Eastern Star.

Annabelle and her husband Howard rarely missed any of their children's and grandchildren's activities - home or away. She had a deep love for travel, especially memorable Route 66 road trips and scenic drives out to the ranch in Fairplay, Colorado. Some of her favorite times were spent at the family’s “shack” near the Continental Divide by Idaho Springs and walking the hunting land on Reinecker Ridge. Summers were often filled with adventures alongside her grandchildren—fishing in mountain streams, searching for old railroad and Native American relics on their land, and soaking in the breathtaking views of snow-covered peaks. At home, Annabelle found joy in tending to her vegetable garden and nurturing her flowers during the warm months.

Annabelle is survived by her children: John (Maggi) Fenske, Coloma, Daniel (Michelle) Fenske, Coloma, Jennifer (Jess) Johnson, Wautoma; her grandchildren: Nathan, Kelsey, and Kyler Fenske, Asha and Makaela Fenske, and Logan Johnson; great-grandchildren: Quinn, Nash, and Kashton Fenske; sister: Roberta (Keith) Galbraith, Two Rivers; brother: Jeff (Deborah) Buchholz, Wautoma; sisters-in-law; Kathy Patten, Coloma, Sonya (James) Stevens, North Fond du Lac, Judy Fenske, Coloma, and other beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband: Howard; grandson: Blake Fenske; brother: Thomas Patten; brother-in-law: Darrel Fenske and her parents.

Funeral services will be held at 11AM on Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Richford with burial to follow in Richford Cemetery. The family will greet relatives and friends on Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at Leikness Funeral Home, Wautoma from 5PM to 7PM and again at church on Wednesday from 10AM until the time of services at 11AM.

The family would like to thank the staff of Lily Meadows Assisted Living and St. Croix Hospice for their love and support.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Shiners Hospitals for Children.