Ann Marie Soley

Ann Marie Soley, “Sweet Annie,” 76, died peacefully at home on April 12, 2018, enveloped in the love of her daughters. She was born in Janesville, WI, and lived the majority of her life in Eau Claire. From the beginning, Ann’s life exemplified the quote, “Here’s to strong women. May we know them, may we be them, and may we raise them.” She had a quiet strength that could mend behaviors with one glance, a fierce devotion to family and an unmatched essence of dedication. A graduate of Memorial High School, Ann modeled her life after generations of working women before her. She spent the majority of her career at K-mart Corporation and retired at the perfect time to devote herself to raising strong grandchildren who will never doubt that they were loved by her infinitely. They can now close their eyes and see her eyes dance at the mere sight of them walking into the room. Even though Alzheimer’s Disease gripped the last 12 years of her life, Ann maintained her sweetness, her quiet strength, her fierce devotion and mostly that sparkle in her eye telling us how much we are loved. Ann married Dick Soley in February of 1961, and together they balanced each other skillfully; Ann with her quiet strength and Dick with his loud persistence. He brought passion and she brought sensibility. While their marriage was not perfect, their love was deep. Dick devoted the last 12 years of his life lovingly caring for Ann in their home as she struggled through the unrelenting stages of dementia. Ann, through it all, never stopped sharing her sparkling glance with him and he never stopped trying to entice her to share it. Dick died four months ago. Ann is survived by her daughters, Cathy (Russ) Nyberg, Carolyn Gullikson, Christine (Tom) Kleich and beloved niece, Mindy Mattson. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Adam (Heather) Collins, Jen (Brandon) Kronenberg, Chris Julson, Heath Gullikson, Jared Gullikson, Shane Gullikson, Elicia Kleich and Alex Kleich. Cade and Colin Mattson held a very special place in Annie’s heart. Ann is honored to be survived by her great-granddaughters, Madison Collins and Aaliyah Julson. Other family members surviving Ann include her sister, Donna Hippman of Florida and her brother-in-law Mike Soley as well as several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Marie (Whitwam) Bellows and Lawrence Bellows; her brother, Don Bellows; and her sister and close friend, Nancy Soley. Ann adored her beloved son-in-law, Tom Gullikson who also preceded her in death. The Soley family is forever thankful for the support of Ann’s sister-in-law, Jo Rousselow for her gentle, wise and humorous care of Ann during her brother’s battle with cancer. A special note of thanks goes to Kris Slattery of St. Joseph’s Home Health and Hospice for her unending compassion, understanding and support to Ann and her daughters. Her skillful nursing and her incredible flexibility brightened our most difficult days. Ann’s memorial celebration will be from 4 to 7 pm on Friday, April 20, 2018, with a Prayer Service at 6:30 pm at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home, 814 First Avenue in Eau Claire. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 am on Saturday, April 21, 2018, at Sacred Heart Parish, 416 Dewey Street in Eau Claire. There will be NO visitation before the Mass. Internment at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Eau Claire to follow.

Service Information

Cemetery

Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery

Visitation

Friday, April 20 2018
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home
814 First Ave
Eau Claire WI 54703

Public Prayer Vigil

Friday, April 20 2018
6:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home
814 First Ave
Eau Claire WI 54703

Mass

Saturday, April 21 2018
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Sacred Heart Catholic Church
416 Dewey St
Eau Claire WI 54703