Anna Mae Remmen

Anna Mae Remmen, age 66, of Fort Atkinson, IA died on Thursday, April 19, 2018 at Gundersen Health Systems in LaCrosse. WI.Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, April 24. 2018 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 420 East Main Street, in Ossian, IA with Father Robert Gross presiding. Burial will be in the church cemetery.Visitation will be from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m., on Monday, April 23, 2018 at the St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Ossian and also after 9:30 a.m., at the church on Tuesday. The Schluter-Balik Funeral Home is handling arrangements.In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare at 200 University Ave E, Saint Paul, MN 55101Anna Mae (Schissel) Remmen was born on April 21, 1951 to Merle and Marie (Winter) Schissel in Decorah, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Ossian, IA. Anna Mae graduated from South Winneshiek High School in 1969. She married Gary Remmen on October 24, 1970 at St. Francis de Sales in Ossian. Together they had two daughters: Annette and Wendy.Anna Mae grew up enjoying country life and working on the family farm. After Anna Mae and Gary married they were stationed in Fort Riley, KS for the Army, making friends that would last a lifetime. Upon returning to the area she worked at Northeast Iowa Community College for over 20 years in the Financial Aid office, taking the time to help and walk many students through the paperwork to attend college. After leaving NICC to help care for her grandkids, she worked part-time at Kwik Star before she retired. During her retirement she enjoyed helping many in their homes with cleaning and home projects. Her greatest job of all was being able to be there for Kamryn. Her days were filled with many trips to: therapy, doctor appointments, school and back, and running errands for the rest of her family and friends. Anna Mae was always busy unselfishly giving of herself and her time to lend a helping hand wherever she was needed.“Start Your Engines” is a phrase that Anna Mae always looked forward to each racing season. Over the last 30 years, Anna Mae spent her summer Saturday nights at Upper Iowa Speedway and Nordic Speedway, checking in the drivers, scoring laps and running the show. Anna Mae took the time to know each of the drivers and their families and always supported many members of the racing family, especially in any time of need.Protector, Best Friend, My Rock, Unconditional Love, Faithful - these are all values and characteristics we have repeatedly heard in describing Anna Mae and her love for her family. Anna Mae’s greatest joy was her grandchildren and caring for them. There were many times that school events would overlap leaving her wondering if she should wear Decorah Vikings for Kayla and Kaitlin or Turkey Valley Trojans for Kannon, so she had a special sweatshirt and t-shirt made to show no favoritism to any grandchild. Sneaking trips to Ames, meeting for coffee and Ronnie’s rolls, playing cards, manicures and pedicures, special celebrations and hotel stays are among many of the favorite memories Anna Mae shared and created with her grandchildren. Wherever you saw Anna Mae, you could always count on seeing her with her sidekick, Kamryn.Anna Mae is survived by her husband Gary. Daughters: Annette Walter, Calmar, IA and Wendy (Brian) Leuenberger, Fort Atkinson, IA. Grandchildren: Kayla and Kaitlin Walter, Laney, Kannon and Kamryn Leuenberger. Sister: Carol (Rick) Cameron, Calmar, IA. Brother: Nick Schissel, Calmar, IA. Brothers-in-law: Wayne (Becky) Remmen, Decorah, IA and Craig (friend, Terry Goepel) Remmen, Mason City, IA. Nieces and Nephews: Tami (Aaron) Brincks, Calmar, IA; Nicole (fiancé, Denne Brodbeck) Jansen, Calmar, IA; Chad Schissel (friend, Renee Gunderson), Calmar, IA; Travis (Alissa) Schissel, Decorah, IA; Lee (fiancé, Jill Kruse) Schissel, Colorado Springs, CO and Megan (Dillon) McArdle, LaCrosse, WI. Great-Nieces and Nephews: Madalin, Grace, and Anders Jansen, Laylah and Vienna Schissel, and Miles McArdle.Anna Mae was preceded in death by her parents: Merle and Marie (Winter) Schissel. Father and mother-in-law: Rudy and Velma (Nelson) Remmen.