Ann Adelaide “Dolly” Palus, age 97 of Baldwin WI, died peacefully on Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at her home. Ann was born on July 15, 1913 in Amery WI to parents Ray and Inga (Neerland) DeGolier. Ann attended the East Lincoln country school in rural Amery, and graduated from Amery High School with the Class of 1932. Ann later earned a degree from the Calhoun Secretary School in Minneapolis. From her marriage to LeRoy Anderson on July 26, 1939, Ann would be blessed with three daughters, Susan, Mary Ann, and Helen. Ann was married on September 24, 1949 to Oswald “Ozzie” Nelson, and from their union in marriage, Ann would gain three step-children, Donna, Keith, and Lynn. After the death of Ozzie in 1983, Ann would again be married on July 15, 1989 to William “Bill” Palus.

To Ann, every day was a good day, and she did her best to start them all with a smile. She enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening, quilting, sewing, and cooking. She used her creative style to make soaps, press floral cards, and paint murals in her home. Never idle, Ann embodied an adventurous spirit that led her to travel and explore. She could be found soaking in the sun on a cruise, trekking through the snow in Alaska, or taking in the sights of a wild plane ride around Mt. McKinley. For her 97th birthday, Ann’s wishes were to walk across the Arctic Circle. She did just that, and upon doing so, Ann celebrated her achievement by enjoying a glass of wine in the company of beloved family members, and complete strangers alike. Though this adventurous and captivating spirit was a testament to Ann’s life, it is only part of what her loved ones will miss so dearly about her.

Ann was preceded in death by her husbands, LeRoy Anderson, Ozzie Nelson, and Bill Palus; sisters, Helen Beversdorf, and Fae Aune; step-son Lynn (Doreen) Nelson; step-grandchildren John Nelson, and Clifford Nelson; step-great-grandchildren, Dylan, Michael, Derrick, and Danielle. Ann will be remain in the hearts of her children,  Susan (Don) Meinburg of Stillwater MN, MaryAnn Spurrier of Maple Grove MN, and Helen Anderson of Lake Elmo MN; step-children Donna Franklin of Irvine CA, and Keith (Jordis) Nelson of Cottage Grove MN; grandchildren, Todd (Ali) Meinburg, Troy (Dawn) Meinburg, KariAnn (Jay) Murphy, Deanna (Genghis Urich) Dubé, Sherri (Jeff) Hunt, John Spurrier, Allison AuBuchon, Terry Schnoebelen, Marilyn (Dan) Stevens, Paul Nelson, Eric Nelson, Martha (Rick) Thompson, Mona Nelson, Karla (Dennis) Wakefield, and Kelly (Shannon) Dorr; great-grandchildren, Dane, Gabrielle, Kai, Griffin, Colton, Tyler, Cloud, Ian, Karen, John, Krista, Samuel, Kaitlin, Abbey, Ashley, Laura and Greg; as well as five great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Ann Palus will be held at 11:00AM on Monday, May 2nd at the Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 1350 Florence Street, in Baldwin, with Pastor Lowell Bolstad officiating. Burial will follow in the Baldwin Cemetery with her grandchildren serving as casketbearers. Visitation will be on Sunday from 4:00-6:00PM at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home, 1010 Newton Street in Baldwin, and also 1 hour prior to services at the church on Monday morning. Memorials are preferred to the discretion of the family. Services have been entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Baldwin WI. 715-684-3434