Annette's Memorial Video

Annette Kettner Memorial Service Video

Annette Ilene (Kolbe) Kettner (86), passed away on July 26, 2025, at Appleton Retirement Community Center. Annette was born to Albert and Loretta (Rohloff) Kolbe in Wittenberg on May 6, 1939. She graduated from Washington High School, New London, Wisconsin in 1957. She married the love of her life, Richard Kettner and they resided in Neenah and Greenville for more than 59 years while raising five children.

Annette had many jobs in her lifetime and taught all her children a strong work ethic which came from her working on the family farm.  She primarily worked at Zwickers Knitting Mill and the American Legion in Appleton, but her favorite job was driving the school bus for Hortonville School District. She truly enjoyed those kids on her bus routes.  Annette learned to play the accordion when she was young. Her children begged and loved it when she finally opened the case to play a few tunes. She transitioned those artistic skills to painting ceramics for numerous years with her lifelong friends Carol and Deloris. Bowling was a big part of her life while she competed in a ladies' league as well as a couples' league that she shared with Richard.  She was an avid reader all her life.  Everyone who knew Annette knows her biggest passion in life was any casino, Vegas and gambling. She even won big bucks on the Wisconsin Moneygame Lottery show.  Enjoy being the lucky winner every day now, mom!

Annette will be remembered by her children - Vicki (Steve) Becker, Pueblo, Colorado, Julie (Bill) Ebben, Appleton, Joseph (Sally Anker Netzel) Kettner, Bonduel, Lynn (Becky) Kettner, Appleton, Richard (Michell) Kettner, Appleton; 9 grandchildren - Kim (Mark) Waring, Eric (Mallory) Kettner, Adam (Katie) Mix, Jenna Kettner, Amber (Colin) Madden, Megan (Andy) Booher, Michael (Savannah Hurst) Kettner, Travis Kettner, Danyell (Bobby Schiavo) Kettner and Carley (Ryan) Vandertie ; 6 great grandchildren - Sam, Abel, Aycen, Ashlyn, William and Taylor; and her special younger siblings, Frank Kolbe and Margie (Gil) Kolbe-Mims; 28 nieces and nephews, and her "family" from ARC. She always said the ARC residents and staff are her newest "family" members.

Annette was preceded in death by her husband Richard, her grandparents, Frank and Emma Rohloff and Emil and Amelia Kolbe, her parents, Albert and Loretta Kolbe, her sister and brother-in-law Barbara and Clayton Gardinier, her brother Emil Kolbe and Rose Kolbe, sister Ardis (David) LaValley, sister-in-law, Charlene Kolbe, and brother-in-law, Albert Mims, and niece Debbie Radmer; her in-laws, Joseph and Lydia Kettner, Roy Kettner, Russell and Donna Kettner, Earl and Leona Kettner, Merlin and Betty Kettner, Niles and Delilah Kettner, and June Kettner, and nephew Dennis Kettner.

The family wants to extend gratitude to the entire staff at ARC who lovingly and genuinely cared for her these past 7.5 years. Your compassion and patience with all of her "special requests" will always be remembered.  Thank you to Moments Hospice staff who provided comfort to Annette and her family these past two months.

The Memorial Service will be held on Friday, August 1, 2025, at 11:00 am at Emanuel Lutheran Church in New London with Rev. William Heiges officiating.  Burial will be at Floral Hill Cemetery, New London.  A visitation will be held at the church from 9:00 am until the time of the service.