Annetta Legler

Annetta Margaret Legler, age 99, of Maple Plain, MN (formerly of Woodstock, MN), passed away on Monday, March 30, 2026. She was born to Cornelius John (Case) and Sophie Christina (VerHoef) Veldhuizen in Hull, IA on October 22, 1926. She was baptized in her Christian faith on December 5, 1926 at First Reformed Church, Hull, IA.

During her early childhood, Annetta lived in Hull, IA from 1926 to 1930. Her family later moved to Sheldon, IA, where they resided until 1936, before settling in Woodstock, MN. She attended public school in IA. In 1936, she began attending District 32 Country School in rural Woodstock, MN until 1940. She then attended and graduated from Pipestone High School (MN) in 1944.

Annetta was united in marriage to Robert Milton Legler on July 18, 1944, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Avoca, MN. She was later confirmed and became a devout member of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod on March 25, 1945. Following their marriage, the couple made their home in Burke Township, south of Woodstock, where they began their life together in 1944 and raised their nine children. They were faithful members of St. John's Lutheran Church in Woodstock, MN. Robert preceded her in death on November 15, 1979. Following the closing of St. John's Lutheran Church in 1997, Annetta became a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Pipestone, MN. In 2022, she became a resident of Haven Homes in Maple Plain, MN, where she found great joy and a strong sense of community.

Annetta was a devoted homemaker who took great pride in caring for her family and home. In the early years of her marriage, she assisted with their milk hauling business, often collecting canned milk from local farmers. She was deeply involved in her church community, serving as Sunday School Superintendent for 14 years, an AAL Guild Officer, and Secretary of the Church Council, where she was honored to be the first woman to hold that position. In addition to her work at home, Annetta was employed at Huisken Meats beginning in 1975 and later at Town and Country Meats from 1979 to 1981.

Annetta was an active and dedicated member of her community. She volunteered for many years at the Pipestone County Museum and was involved with the Woodstock Community Club and Woodstock Senior Citizens. In recognition of her contributions, she was named Pipestone County Outstanding Senior Citizen in 2001 and served as the Grand Marshal of the annual St. Patrick's Parade in Woodstock, MN in 2020. She was also heavily involved with the Woodstock Cemetery Association, volunteering her services and mowing for many years. She was also a longtime member of the Jolly Birthday Club, participating for over 50 years.

She found great joy in quilting, ceramics, card stamping, line dancing, all things flamingos, and traveling, specifically to Amsterdam with her sisters. She took great pride in maintaining her acreage and enjoying the sunrises/sunsets each day, as well as taking pride in the "Legler" name in rocks on the hillside. Above all, Annetta cherished time spent with her family, including her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. She thoroughly enjoyed watching her grandchildren's involvement in sports, band, church, and school activities. She also gave her time as a volunteer in the Performing Arts Center and lovingly made pillowcase dresses for those in need. For many years, she faithfully wrote the Woodstock News column in the Pipestone County Star and Edgerton Enterprise, keeping her community informed and connected. She was also an avid MN Twins fan, cheering them loudly during two World Series, and listening to Sid Hartman on WCCO radio.

Annetta is survived by her children, Arlis Legler of Goodyear, AZ, Mavis Hilpipre of Blue Earth, MN, Darlene (Paul Mechem) Fritzinger of Altoona, IA, Dennis (Lulu) Legler of San Diego, CA, Rolly (Patty Nading) Legler of Prairie du Chien, WI, Nancy (Jim) Strobel of Maple Grove, MN, and Russ (Lon) Legler of Pipestone, MN; one daughter-in-law, Donna Legler of Minneapolis, MN; her siblings: Robert (Marian) Veldhuizen, Sophie (Jerold) Schoolmeester, Mildred VanWyke, and Marvin (Rosalyn) Veldhuizen; in-laws, Kathy Veldhuizen and Carl Kreun; 15 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and eight great-great-grandchildren; as well as many beloved friends and the compassionate caregivers at Haven Homes, all of whom will cherish her memory.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Cornelius and Sophie; her husband, Robert; sons, Robert "Bob" and Daryl; grandsons, Korey and Kelley Legler; and siblings John, Albert, Arnold, Bernard, Gert Schneider, Anthony "Tony", Emma Jasper, Casey, Julia Kreun, and Roger Veldhuizen.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Annetta's memory may be directed to Woodstock Cemetery Association or the Haven Homes Staff Appreciation Fund (4848 Gateway Blvd, Maple Plain, MN 55359). The staff at Haven Homes brought her tremendous joy and became like family to her during the final four years of her life. There are not enough words for her family to show their appreciation to the staff at Haven Homes.

On behalf of the Legler family, who have been part of this community for more than 80 years, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all who have made it such a meaningful place to live and grow. We are deeply thankful for the compassion, inclusion, generosity, and kindness shown to Annetta and our family throughout the years, and for the blessing of having been raised in such a caring and supportive community.