Anne E. Mrozek

Anne E. Mrozek (nee Knott), 86, of LaCrescent passed away at home on Saturday, March 30, 2019. Anne was born in London, England to Alfred Edmund Knott and Josephine Doris Knott (nee Cockbaine). Anne married Harry James Mrozek Jr. originally from Fountain City, WI. on April 26th, 1954 in Banbury, England while he was serving in the USAF.

Anne is survived by her husband Harry of LaCrescent; two sons, Michael living in Northern Virginia, Adrian John (deceased) and two daughters Sandra Roy (Scott) of Indianapolis, IN, and Dr. Jane Mrozek of LaCrescent.

Harry retired from the U.S. Army, he also served with the USAF and was awarded the Purple Heart, Heroic Award, Military Merit, and Bronze Star with valor during two combat tours in Vietnam.

Michael married Patricia J. Sampson on 07/28/1979 in Caledonia, MN and both are 1973 LaCrescent High School graduates. Michael served in the USAF from 1973 to 1978 (Vietnam Era veteran) and has been employed as an IT Engineer (industrial contractor) for the Federal Government since 1979 when they relocated from LaCrescent, MN to Dallas, TX for ten years and then to Northern Virginia where they currently reside. Sandra married Scott Roy on 10/10/1998 and they currently reside in Indianapolis, IN. Jane is a professional nurse who spent 12 years in academia then changed her focus back to direct patient care and is working as a Telephone Nurse Advisor and resides in LaCrescent, MN. She is actively involved in professional as well in local organizational committees. She is most proud of being the lead person in establishing an endowment for the La Crescent Animal Rescue.

Special family friends we want to acknowledge are Ruth Muehlenkamp and Ruth's son Jacob. Anne knew if Jane was not available then she would turn to Ruth to help her. Anne unofficially adopted Ruth as another daughter and her son Jacob as her grandson. Lori Falada and Jenny Schulte were also friends Anne enjoyed visiting with and she would note if it was too long of a time since they came for a cup of tea. Anne often shared found memories of three special co-workers who became dear friends to her Jerry Schneider, Marie Speltz, and Alice Kupietz who has passed away.

Anne last traveled to England at the age of 82 in April/May 2014 escorted by Michael to visit her terminally ill sister-in-law (Jean Knott) and visit her nephew's family (Simon (Julie) and 2 daughters). Anne was able to visit the grave site (Wolvercote Cemetery in the parish of Wolvercote, Oxford, England) of her son Adrian John Mrozek (01/01/1959 - 01/11/1959). Anne was able to show Michael where she attended school during WWII and witnessed German bombers flying above the school playground. She also was able to show Michael the farm her parents owned and fields where German POW's worked. As well as the church in Banbury, England where she and Harry were married. This was a very bittersweet trip with memories cherished by both Mother and son.

Until her retirement, Anne worked for many years at Saint Anne Hospice in Winona, MN as a physical therapy assistant and years previous to that she worked as a nurse assistant caring for adults in long term care facility. She thoroughly had a special place in her heart to care for older adults. In her free time, she enjoyed gardening and canning. Her compassion for animals carried over to her children who all have pets that have been rescued.

Anne was preceded in death by her brother Joseph Knott and sister-in-law Jean, niece Susan Knott and a son Adrian John Mrozek. She is survived by her sister in laws Ann (Phillip) Eder, Louise (Don) Merchlewitz, Rosealie (Eugene) Bork, and Marion Sobotta (Victor Gibbons). Two sister in laws preceded her in death Sandra (Dave) Schmidtknecht and Romelle (John) Larson and a brother in law Victor Gibbons.

Anne was a loving wife, mother and a caring person who taught her children to care for others as well as for animals. She will be dearly missed by her family, friends and pets, especially Tig's.

In closure, the family of Anne Mrozek want to acknowledge and thank her primary provider Dr. Duane Undeland who provided her with excellent medical care along with his natural caring disposition which Anne very much appreciated along with her family.