Annette F Crocker

Annette Florence Crocker of Staples, 88 years old, passed away Thursday, August 29, 2024, under the care of Hospice at the Lakewood Care Center. The visitation will be at the Church of Christ in Staples on Saturday, October 26, 2024, with visitation at 10:00 A.M. and the funeral service to follow at 11:00 A.M.

Annette Florence (Devine) Crocker Was born in Breckenridge, MN to Kenneth and Evelyn (Elmore) Devine on January 15, 1936. She graduated from Breckenridge High School in 1954. Annette married Gordon Crocker on April 9th, 1955, and moved to Oylen, where they lived for several years before moving to the Staples area where they made their home. Annette had many interests. She loved to garden; she was always so proud of her flower gardens. She enjoyed reading, Sudoku, and even learned a couple games on the iPad that gave her a challenge. She loved to have coffee and lunch with her wonderful circle of friends that she made over the years. She enjoyed volunteering, you could find her collecting tickets at the Staples Auditorium, quilters on Wednesdays, although she wasn't a quilter, she helped provide and set up snacks for the gals. Annette loved to travel and had cruised Hawaii, Alaska, through the Panama Canal and the Western Rivera. She traveled by land as well as via car, bus, train. If there was a trip planned, her bags were packed. Her children and her grandchildren/great grandchildren were her

treasures. She loved spending time with them. Another of Annette's proud memories were that she had the privilege of working in all three of the Hospitals in Staples, beginning with Greater Staples Hospital in town on 6th Street. She began working as a Nurse Aide, then transferred to Ward Secretary, and decided to finally retire after 30+ years. After being home for 3 months, she decided that wasn't for her, so she went back to work for another 11 years working with the Gastro Doctors in Outpatient, and finally retired for good, making it 42 years.

Annette is preceded in death by her husband, Gordon, her parents, Kenneth and Evelyn Devine, brothers, Lowell, Virgiland Donald Devine. Sister in laws Barbara and Carol Devine. Brother-in-law Glendon and his wife Yvonne. Brother-in-law Richard Gordon.

Annette is survived by her daughters, Ione (Creig) Mertens, Linda (Duane) Hendricks. Sons, Bruce (Maryrose) Crocker, Kevin (Connie) Crocker, Neil (Kathy) Crocker, Darrell (Denise) Crocker. 15 Grandchildren and 27 Great Grandchildren with one more on the way. So many wonderful nieces and nephews, and so many dear friends.

Annette will be so missed by all who knew and loved her.

Interment will be at a later date at the Riverside Cemetery in Breckenridge, MN.

Caring for Annette and her family

Taylor Funeral Home of Staples