Ann Stafford

Ann Emma Stafford 90 of Ellendale, ND died December 15, 2016 at Prince of Peace Care Center, Ellendale. She was born March 2, 1926 to Christ and Lydia (Erlenbusch) Schlenker on the family farm west of Forbes, ND. Ann attended country school and enjoyed her young years near the farm. During her high school years, she moved to Forbes where she stayed with a family friend to continue her education. She moved to Aberdeen for a couple of years for work. While in Aberdeen, she met her husband Gene of 59 years. Ann taught at a country school for a short time before she married. On April 13, 1947 Ann married Gene Stafford in Forbes. They moved to his uncles farm southwest of Forbes. When their second child was born, they had outgrown their small home so in the early 1950’s, Gene and Ann built a small home and moved to Forbes. In 1952, they bought a farm south of Forbes where they raised their three children and worked a grain and dairy farm for 36 years. In 1980 they moved their retirement hobby farm one mile north of Ellendale. In 2006, Ann moved to her present home in Ellendale where she visited Gene daily at prince of Peace Care Center. Ann leaves her daughter: Sharon (Wayne) Koecher; son: Lorrie Stafford; grandchildren: Alexander, Farrah (Adam) Weinert, Zachary (Laurann) Koecher; great-grandchildren: Cooper, Fischer and Wylder Koecher. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers: Rueben, Art and Jack; son: Steven and one grandson Wayne Jr. “Fritz”. Funeral services are 10:30am Monday, December 19 at Church of the Nazarene, Ellendale with Pastor Kelly Riggan officiating. Visitation is one hour prior to services at the church on Monday. Burial is at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Aberdeen, SD. Arrangements by Hoven Funeral Chapel, Ellendale.