Ann Jean Couillard

Ann Couillard of Rush City died Saturday at the Golden Living Center in Rush City at the age of 85 years. Annabelle (Thalin) Couillard was born in Isanti, Minnesota on October 15, 1928. She went to country school in Isanti through the 8th grade. She wanted to continue her education so she moved to Cambridge to work as a babysitter while attending the 9th grade at Cambridge High School. Her family moved to Minneapolis the following year where she attended Edison High School and graduated in 1946. Ann married Thomas Couillard on November 8, 1947. She and Tom lived in Richfield until 1953 when they moved to Brooklyn Center where they raised their five children and lived until 1979. They moved to Stacy where they lived until 1992, they then moved to Rush City where she has lived ever since. Ann worked for the telephone company when her two oldest children were young. She worked in retail stores part time as she was raising her children. Ann started working in accounting at Lutheran Brotherhood in 1976 and retired from there in 1990. Ann and Tom took many camping vacations with their family and continued to camp into their seventies. Ann enjoyed traveling which she continued to do with Tom throughout their retirement. They spent 15 winters in LaFeria, Texas where they purchased a mobile home. They made many friends in Texas and enjoyed warm winters. Ann loved being a grandmother to her 6 grandchildren and was proud of their accomplishments. She enjoyed attending band concerts, plays, ball games, graduations, and weddings over the years. Ann was an active member of several church communities over the years and was a member of First Evangelical Lutheran in Rush City for the past 21 years. She participated in women’s circle, quilting, ushering, and serving at funeral receptions during her time there. Ann was also a member of Rush City Women’s Club and enjoyed attending social functions with her friends. Ann and Tom enjoyed exploring the casinos in the area with other retirees in the area. The meals that were included with these excursions were often the highlight of these trips. Ann was a devoted wife to Tom for nearly 65 years and when he had to move to Golden Living Center in 2010 because of his advancing Alzheimer’s Disease she visited him faithfully most every day until he passed away in February, 2012. Ann has been a resident at Golden Living herself since April, 2012. She will be missed by all who knew her. Ann is survived by sons: Terry (Gwenn) Couillard of Ocala, Florida, David (Dayle) Couillard of Edina, Minnesota, Craig (Berni) Couillard of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota; daughters: Cheryl Couillard of Burlington, Vermont, Julie (Steve) Carlson of Rush City, Minnesota; grandchildren: Darren (Keely) Couillard of Rochester, Minnesota, Jeff (Crystal) Couillard of South St. Paul, Minnesota, Naomi (Doug) Zweig of Chicago, Illinois, Adam Couillard of Inver Grove Heights, Brad Carlson of Rush City, Elaine Carlson of New Brighton, Minnesota; great grandson Rory Thomas Couillard, sisters Margaret Boettcher of Austin TX, Marlys (Jerry) Nauman of Mpls., Joyce (Ken) Cleland of New Brighton, sister-in-law Emma Thalin fo Brooklyn Center , Wilma Frantz of Crystal, many nieces and nephews. Ann Couillard is preceded in death by her parents Victor and Minnie Thalin, husband Tom Couillard, daughter-in-law Louise Couillard and siblings Carl, Harold and Norman Thalin, Lillian Spetz. Pastor Laurie O’Shea will officiate services; 11:00 a.m. Thursday, (10/31/13) at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Rush City. A time of visitation will be held from 5 – 8 p.m. Wednesday evening at the church and also one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in the First Lutheran Cemetery in Rush City. Arrangements for Ann Couillard of Rush City are entrusted to the Funeral and Cremation Service - Olson Chapel of Rush City. www.funeralandcremationservice.com