MALTA- The Phillips County community
mourns the death, on March 6, 2019, of the one of our most
beloved citizens, Miss Annie Susan Jefferson, at the Hi-Line
Retirement Center of natural causes.
Family will receive friends on
Monday, March 11, 2019, 5:00 P.M. at Kirkwood Memorial Chapel.
Funeral services are Tuesday, March 12, 2019 at Malta Lutheran
Church at 11:00 A.M. Condolences for the family may be left at
www.kirkwoodfuneralhome.com.
Annie Susan was born on August 29,
1955, to Lester Jefferson Jr. and Leona Walks, in Crow Agency,
MT, a proud member of the Crow tribe. She attended Boulder
River School from 1965-1970, where she learned practical life
skills, then Nashua Special Education School and Eastmont
program in Glendive. In 1973 she moved to Malta and lived with
several foster families.
She moved into her own apartment in
1992, surrounded by her favorite things. Especially
treasured was her large collection of stuffed animals, which she
recently donated to the children of Malta. Miss Annie
didn’t go anywhere without her jewelry, with rings adorning
every finger, and a necklace and earrings ever present.
One could not miss her extensive collection of Special Olympic
medals. She was an avid participant in bowling and the
softball toss.
Anyone who was fortunate enough to
visit Annie in her apartment was quickly welcomed, offered
something to eat or drink, and shown her collections and
hobbies. Annie enjoyed her vegetable and flower gardens,
often asking neighbors to water, if she was out of town.
Annie liked jigsaw puzzles, often completing several at one
time. Her guests would be treated to an episode of Little
House on the Prairie, the Walton’s or Cops, and perhaps some
Charlie Pride music.
Malta was Annie’s home, and this
community lovingly embraced her. During the summer months,
Annie was regularly seen cruising the streets of Malta in her
blue three-wheel bike, stopping to greet many along the way.
While she couldn’t read a clock, she had an innate sense of
time, and was never late, whether for church, work or any of the
many social events she attended. She loved to attend
theater movies, concerts and school programs. She never passed
up the opportunity to go on country rides searching for
cottontails and deer, or to help feed farm animals.
Annie was a member of the Malta
Lutheran Church, attending services both in Malta and
Whitewater. Even in the worst of weather Annie was one of
the first to arrive at the church, taking pride in setting out
items for Sunday coffee hour. Annie met with the Sunday
evening ladies’ group, where her specialty was to roll skeins of
yarn into balls for the ladies to crochet prayer shawls. While
in Whitewater, she checked in on several people and enjoyed a
visit, always concerned for others.
If you needed a piece of candy, Annie
was the one to ask. A quick peek in her pockets would
reveal a plethora of peppermint, cinnamon or chocolate candies.
Even in her last months at the HI-Line Retirement Center, Annie
kept a stash close at hand, quickly sharing it with friends.
Annie, one of the original clients
for MOI, came to the program in 1973, where she worked many
jobs. Most recently, she took care of the laundromat on
weekends, and previously worked at First State Bank, Patty’s
(Jan’s) Floral and volunteered at the nursing home.
Annie was much loved and will be
missed by her Phillips County friends, her special friend Gayle
Stahl, and her extended MOI family. She is asleep in the
arms of Jesus, rest in peace Miss Annie.
Guest Book
From: Blane Cornell
God speed Annie.
From: Jerry Richardson
Love you Anne, You were like a little sister to me. You will be missed.
From: Sharon A Kindle
Bless you Annie. You brought happiness to many.
From: Beth & Emma Casebolt
Annie you were a good friend & you will be greatly missed. You were a tremendous asset both spiritually & emotionally to many of us. We will miss our visits. Much love to you in God's arms.
From: Diane F Smith
rest in Peace little Annie. The whole town of Malta will miss you. You were a friend to everybody.
From: Donna L Harris
No matter where U were, I always stopped to say Hi Annie Bananie, How are U today? No matter how she felt she was always fine U will be missed greatly my Lil Annie Bananie!!!
RIP Annie!!!
From: Barbara Schlocker
Annie, I'll miss you're summer Saturday visits when you would stop by on your way to Trafton. Thank you for enriching all our lives. Bless you. Barb
From: Marysue Davis
God has received another treasure
I am so happy that Annie and Saleena were able to take the train trip to Seattle. Annie bless you and say hi to my mother and father when you see them in heaven
From: Debbie Demarais
Thank you Annie your smile always warmed my day. You really did make Malta a better place. Rest Peacefully Annie!
From: Ashley Camenzind (Wimmer-Barsness)
Malta won't be the same without you Annie. I remember seeing you riding all over on your bike as a kid and how happy it made me having a developmentally disabled aunt who loved to do the same when she was young. You are missed and were very loved by all who live and lived in Malta. Thank you for bringing joy to our town.
Guest book submissions may be made using the link to the left.
