Anna Mae Messerschmidt
Anna Mae Messerschmidt, affectionally known as Aunt Mae, lived life to the fullest. Her secret to aging gracefully was laughter, never taking herself too seriously. She passed Saturday, December 11, 2021, only 9 days after her 97th birthday. Anna was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on December 2, 1924, to George and Matilda (Dickman) Messerschmidt. The eldest to be raised on the family farm in St. Peter’s, Indiana, she was soon followed by two brothers, James and Leroy, and sister Irene.
Venturing out in her late teens, Anna moved to Cincinnati where she found employment working for the Railway Express Agency while taking evening accounting courses at the University of Cincinnati. She was honored as an outstanding employee and served as President of the Woman’s Railway Club. Her career with the Railroad took her to Chattanooga in the mid-1970’s and eventually to a job with the IRS in Chicago from which she retired. Never content to sit still, she started a new occupation at the Bellwood Library that continued into her eighties. Anna remained in the Chicago suburb of Forest Park, and while there, her friends became family. She was an active member of the Howard Mohr Community Center and St. Bernadine Catholic Church. In 2017 she decided to return to Indiana to be closer to family where she was a resident of The Chateau of Batesville.
Anna loved adventure, from taking long walks with her nieces and nephews to visiting foreign lands as far as the Holy Land and China. Her travels were documented through the lens of a camera which was one of her favorite hobbies. She was a lover of books, enjoyed crafts and crocheting, and most of all, she loved spending time with family and friends.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings, Irene, Leroy and James, and great nephews Eric, Jeffrey, Xavier, and Josh. Anna leaves behind loving friends and family members including sisters-in-law, Rita (Fussner) Messerschmidt and Ruth (Schneider) Messerschmidt; nephews John, Paul, and Jeff; nieces Janice, Lori, Linda, Sharon, Diane, Karen, Anita, and Amy, as well as many great and great-great nieces and nephews who will dearly miss their cherished Aunt Mae.
Services will be Saturday, December 18, 2021, at St Peter’s Catholic Church, St. Peter’s Indiana. Rosary will be at 9:30 AM with visitation beginning at 10 AM. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at noon with Fr. Shaun Whittington presiding. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. In celebration of Anna, all are welcome to join the luncheon immediately following at the St. Peter’s New School.
Memorial contributions can be made to: St. Peter’s Catholic Church Cemetery Fund, 1207 E. Road, Brookville, IN 47012; or Forest Park Food Pantry, Howard Mohr Community Center, 7640 Jackson Blvd, Forest Park, IL 60130.
For more information, send condolences or sign the online guest book go to www.cookrosenberger.com. The Staff of Cook Rosenberger Funeral Home is honored to serve Anna’s Family.