Annette Louise Lemert Larrabee

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 Celebration of Life will be 10:30 am Friday, May 13, 2022 at the First United Methodist Church in Liberal.

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.