Ann B. Wouters, Green Bay, passed away quietly in the early morning hours of Friday, Oct. 10, 2008, at the age of 86 after a courageous, five-year battle with Parkinson's Disease. During that time, she never once complained about her illness; instead she focused on the positive aspects of her life around her. Ann will be sorely missed, but her spirit will live on with her family and friends, so many of whom consider her an exemplar of a life well-lived.

She was born Feb. 18, 1922, in Denmark, Wis., to the late Joseph and Mary (Ronk) Loch. On Feb. 27, 1943 she married, Floyd Wouters and he preceded her in death on Sept. 6, 1971.

Ann's life was marked by a deep belief in God, genuine love and concern for others, class and graciousness, an unfailing sense of humor coupled with an extremely quick wit, hard work, self-discipline, simplicity, frugality, kindness, thoughtfulness, a great sense of adventure, a deep spirituality, support for others through good times and bad, and an outgoing and lively personality that naturally drew people to her.

Her interests were wide and varied throughout her life. She loved baking homemade bread and giving it away to family, friends, the former Crossroads shelter (where she was known as "The Bread Lady"), and House of Hope; keeping up with the news of the day (especially in the areas of politics and health/nutrition); acquiring and caring for indoor and outdoor plants; helping those in need; walking; riding her stationary bike; reading; playing cards; listening to National Public Radio; helping out with family projects; and, most of all, visiting and laughing with family and friends.

Ann was an active volunteer in several community-based organizations including Mary Guild, in which she served one term as president; the Saint Agnes Altar Society; and the Literacy Program at Tank School. She also belonged to the Serra Club and Sierra Club. Ann donated blood for many years until she became unable to do so — a total of more than 60 gallons — an accomplishment in which she took a great deal of pride.

While raising her seven children, and for some time later, Ann sewed clothing for her family, tended a large vegetable garden, canned and froze fruits and vegetables, cooked and baked from scratch, made homemade laundry soap, and engaged her children in holiday crafts. When her husband Floyd died in 1971, she had not worked outside the home while raising her children. After his death, she initially worked at Seroogy's Candies in De Pere, and shortly after enrolled in the Secretarial Science program at what is now NWTC, where she excelled in her studies. Her career took her from a secretarial position at Northwest Engineering to an executive secretarial position in the Personnel department at Green Bay City Hall. She retired in 1991. On her 75th birthday Mayor Paul Jadin, for whom she had worked, declared February, 18, 1997 Ann Wouters Day in a formal proclamation.

She is survived by her children and their spouses, Barbara and Norman Olsen, Green Bay; Floyd W. and Jean Wouters, Jr., Winneconne; Mary Lou and Michael Vandermuss, Oshkosh; Jean and John DiMotto, Greendale; Marge Loch-Wouters and Lloyd Lorenz, Menasha; Carol Wouters, John and Patti Wouters, all of Green Bay; her grandchildren, Michael, Becky, Susie, Jared, Paula, Heidi, Shelley, Tony, Anne; three great-grandchildren, Kendra, MaKayla, McKenna; her sisters and a brother, Florence Persson, Lucille Lannoye, Laverne Burich and her husband, Raymond; Dorothy "Honey" Wesolowski, Sr. Mary Barbara Loch ANG, Joseph T. Loch; her sisters-in-law, Rona Loch, Exie Loch; many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd; her mother-in-law and father-in-law, David and Emily Wouters; her brothers and a sister-in-law, Norbert "Norb" and Jean Loch; Bernard "Bucky" Loch, Harold "Butch" Loch, Malcolm Loch, Kenneth Loch; her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Jimmy Persson, Beatrice Loch, Melvin Lannoye, Norman Wesolowski, Andy and Evelyn Turan, Carmen and Ray Wouters.

Friends may call at Blaney Funeral Home, 1521 Shawano Ave., from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday. A Parish Wake Service will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday. Friends may also call at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 1484 Ninth St., from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Monday. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday at the church with the Rev. Mark Falcone O.Praem officiating. Burial will be in Fort Howard Memorial Park. To send online condolences, please go to www.BlaneyFuneralHome.com.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Ann's name.

The Wouters family wishes to thank the staff of Grancare Nursing Center for their loving care of Ann during her stay and their gracious and attentive treatment of all her guests.