Annabelle R. Esch

Annabelle Rhoda Esch (Tomlinson) On November 12, 2021, Annabelle went to be with her beloved Mother Mary and Jesus with whom she has so fervently prayed these many years, and her earthly sweetheart, Arn. Many family members were at her side the night before to say goodbyes to this wonderful woman who has so positively influenced our lives. Born September 19, 1934, Annabelle grew up on the family dairy farm in Eagle. Her brother Bob worked the fields with her father (AC Tomlinson) and she and her sister Marie worked in the house and yard with her mother (Hilda (Pohl)). A young, hired farm hand (Arnold Esch, also of Eagle) took a shine to the kind, pretty, happy Annabelle and asked her to marry him. Annabelle’s parents, gave them a 60-acre wedding present. Arn and Annabelle built their ranch house and proceeded to fill it with a family of 5 kids: Tom & Nancy (Nathan & Conrad), Julie & Dennis Strahle (Doug & Audrey), Teresa (Carolyn, Caitlin, Caelah, Caleb, Kaydence, Alexis, Gabrielle, Rachel & Maddie), Joe & Carol (Clarice) and Dan & Becky (Katie and Jennifer) and great-grandson, Xavier. Annabelle and Arnold were married 59 years and 8 months when Arn passed in 2017. While maintaining the busy household, Annabelle also participated in several groups at St. Michael Church in Grand Ledge, worked as a secretary for the State of Michigan and spent many late evenings praying in her rocking chair. Annabelle kept a very tidy house, baked lots of cookies and was also keenly interested in picking up the fallen tree branches and sticks from the yard. The pile of gathered sticks came in handy for family, outdoor hotdog roasts. Annabelle loved her family. She and Arn hosted birthday celebrations, the holidays and any other occasion to gather the family. Annabelle enjoyed getting the family together and having a grand meal. She would tease us by saying that she made a “P.I.E.” and that there would be several flavors of ice cream as well. However, it was not uncommon for Annabelle to request just a little more meat after the meal, especially if it was chicken that Arn had grilled. P.I.E. and ice cream were wonderful, but she just loved having that last little bite of chicken! And, of course, do not forget the Saturday night after church pizzas with a little bit of extra meat on them. Only the last two years were spent off the family farm at Grand Ledge’s Independence Village, in the memory care unit. Annabelle’s Alzheimer’s required that she have 24-hour care and we could have found no better facility or group of people to care for her than those at StoryPoint. Annabelle made many friends there and was always, as she told us, busy and had to get things taken care of. She often talked about her past and she wondered where Arn was. Well, now, as son Joe has noted, she knows where dad is. Rest in peace Annabelle. We love you! A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, November 17, 2021, 11:00am at St. Michael Catholic Church, Grand Ledge. You may watch the funeral mass for Annabelle at 11:00 am Wednesday on the St. Michael Church YouTube channel at this link: https://youtu.be/EwWbo2KAdhY. Visitation will be at the church from 10-11:00am. Rite of Committal will follow at North Eagle Cemetery. Donations may be made to: Cristo Rey Community Center, 1717 N. High Street, Lansing, Michigan 48906 (https://crm.bloomerang.co/HostedDonation?ApiKey=pub_332a9255-75ef-11e7-afbe-024e165d44b3&WidgetId=2475008) or Grand Ledge Food Bank, 4980 Burt Avenue, Grand Ledge, Michigan 48837. Arrangements by the Holihan-Atkin-Barclay Funeral Home, Grand Ledge.

Annabelle R. Esch

September 19, 1934 - November 12, 2021