Annette Louise Lemert Larrabee, 82, passed away on Thursday, November
18, 2021, at her home in Liberal, Kansas.
She was born on October 11, 1939, to Louie and Mildred Shay Lemert in
Liberal, Kansas.
On July 11, 2004, she married William Lee “Bill” Larrabee. He preceded
her in death on February 16, 2017.
Annette loved her hometown of Liberal, where her great-grandfather was a
pioneer in Meade County, and grandparents lived on the Beaver River, and
eventually moved to a ranch on the Cimmaron River. The ranch and farms
are still owned and operated by the Lemert family, and Annette was an
active partner in the business with her brother and sister.
She went through the Liberal school system with the Class of 1957, but
graduated a year early from Liberal High School with the Class of 1956.
Annette received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wichita State University
in 1961, where she was a founding member of the Delta Gamma Sorority,
was first chair cellist in the Wichita State University Symphony, and
third chair cellist in the Wichita Symphony at the age of 18. She
received a Master of Science in Special Education from Fort Hays State
University in 1996. Annette was a teacher for United School District
480, where she was a positive influence for the many students that
studied under her.
Being active within the community throughout her life, she was a member
of several civic organizations including Red Hats, Daughters of the
American Revolution, PEO, Aurora, and the Southwest Symphony Society.
Annette was a founding member of the Original Town of Liberal
Revitalization, Incorporated, and an avid supporter of the Baker Arts
Foundation. She loved crocheting, traveling, reading, gardening, going
to the movies, playing bridge with her girlfriends, and was a devoted
mother to her children. Annette was also a long-time member of the St.
Andrews Episcopal Church of Liberal.
Annette is survived by her children, Charles Kevin Baldwin of Emporia,
Kansas, Valerie Lynn Baldwin of Washington, DC, Jennifer Lemert and
husband Anthony “Tony” Stein of Anchorage, Alaska, and Louie Smith
Lemert of Liberal, Kansas; brother, James Rex Lemert and his wife Mary
Nell of Amarillo, TX; brother-in-law, Dr. Douglas Dean Sheafor of
Topeka, Kansas; three grandsons, Alexander Rufus King, Elliot Anthony
Stein, and Colton Maxwell Stein; and one granddaughter, Dana Smith.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by
sister, Betty Jo Lemert Sheafor, and grandparents, Bernard and Bettie
Lemert.
There will be no viewing as Annette wished to be cremated.
A memorial service and celebration of Annette’s life will be held in the
Spring and will be announced by Miller Mortuary.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Seward County
Community College Scholarship Fund.
Friends may send condolences to the family through Annette’s tribute web
page at www.millermortuary.net.
