A funeral will be held Friday, June 14, 2024 for 88-year-old Annabelle Zerwig of Ozora, Mo., was born on October 19, 1935, a daughter to William and Olive (Buckholtz) Ritter who both preceded her in death and was a strong and determined person who was the matriarch and north star of her family and guided them with love and when necessary, a firm hand.
She is survived by her children: Patty (Kevin) Schaaf, Ron (Sue) Zerwig, Brian Zerwig and Vickie (Patrick) Barrett; her grandchildren: Lorena Zerwig, Olivia Barrett and Anna Barrett; her sisters: Lucille Drury and Joyce (Larry) Joggerst.
She was also preceded in death by her husband of 65 years: Leroy Zerwig and a sister: Norma Jean Walker.
She was born during the depression and grew up during hard times. The daughter of a county court judge whose card said “the working man’s friend.” She met the love of her life, her marine Leroy, the son of a local banker and about the exact opposite of her father. They married and settled on the Zerwig family farm in Bloomsdale. She did it all. Raised four children, milked the cows, grew huge gardens and canned all she could for her growing family.
She was so proud of her children and her grandchildren and with perhaps a few bumps in the road along the way, they all turned out great. She was very close to her sisters and it was important to her that her children had the same kind of relationship with each other and with their cousins. The circumstances of life may have led some of the cousins to leave the Bloomsdale community, but when they all get together time and distance evaporates. They talk about all the good times they had hanging out together as kids and sometimes stealing her daddy’s homemade wine, which was said to be some of the best around.
Her Catholic faith was important to her. She didn’t just go through the motions, she lived it. When time came to leave the family farm, she had a plan that led her and Leroy to Ozora with Brian to build a house for their new home and enter into a new community of faith in Ozora, which she loved. Even though she was very ill, just one month ago, she was determined to see her youngest
granddaughter graduate from college. It was a three-day journey to Springfield, MO, which required her to do a lot of walking, including navigating a huge arena so she could sit right above her granddaughter with a good view of the ceremony. This fulfilled her last and greatest wish.
Annabelle would never miss a Cardinal game on television, but would turn it off if they were losing. She enjoyed watching the various wildlife that surrounded their home. Above all, she cherished the time she spent with her family.
She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary.
Visitation will be 9-11 a.m. Friday, June 14, 2024 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ozora, Mo.
A funeral for 88-year-old Annabelle Zerwig of Ozora, Mo., will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 14, 2024 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ozora, Mo.
Memorials may be made to Crown Hospice and Sacred Heart Church in Ozora, Mo.
In keeping with Annabelle’s wishes her body was donated to St. Louis University School of Medicine
Online condolences can be left at www.baslerfuneralhome.com