Annabelle Eulilia (Johnson) Claeys was born on September 11, 1923, in Minneota, to Augustine “Stone†and Anna (Esping) Johnson. She grew up and attended country school near Minneota. Annabelle completed her education at an agriculture boarding school in Morris, MN. On December 16, 1941, she was united in marriage to Francis Claeys at St. Clotilde Catholic Church in Green Valley. The couple farmed and raised their family south of Ghent. In 1980, they moved to Marshall and for the last three years, Annabelle has been living at Boulder Estates in Marshall. In her younger years, Annabelle worked hard on the family farm, helping with the chores and raising her children. She was an excellent cook and baker and will be remembered for her pastries, Belgian cookies and pies. She enjoyed sewing, crafts and flower and vegetable gardening, coin collecting, and the occasional trip to a casino. Annabelle also enjoyed traveling. She and Francis wintered in Las Vegas for many years. After Francis’ death, Annabelle wintered with her daughter in California. She looked forward to a yearly girl’s trip with her daughters.
Annabelle died unexpectedly on Tuesday, October 9, 2018, at her residence in Marshall. She is survived by her children Bonnie Prieto (and Mike Colburn) of Camarillo, California, Paulette (and Tom) Como of St. Cloud, Linda Claeys-Peterson of Boise, ID, grandchildren Todd St. Aubin of Marshall, Tammy Balko of Redwood Falls, Sarah (and Phil) Layne of St. Cloud, Josh (and Kari) Como of Rogers, MN, Misty (and Tad) Peterson-Bremner of New Port Beach, CA, Cassie Peterson (and Wil Blauer) of Boise, ID, great-grandchildren Brad, John, Mason, Jayden, Sawyer, Peyton, Brennan, and Adalind, brother Merlin (and Florence) Johnson of Minneota, in-laws, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Francis, parents Stone and Anna, step-mother Clara, daughter Shirley St. Aubin, infant great-grandchild Beckham Owen Peterson, two brothers and two sisters, one in infancy.
