Ann Renee Vandrovec

Ann Reneé Vandrovec, 74 passed away on Tuesday, January 9th, at SMP Health-St. Rephael in Valley City, ND. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 am, Monday, January 15 at St. Raphael Chapel in SMP Health-St. Raphael, Valley City. Ann's full service will be viewable at https://vimeo.com/903002407 Ann was born on August 19th, 1949, to Tony and Irene C. Vandrovec in Valley City, ND. Ann attended school at the Open Door Center from age 9 to 52 (no wonder she used to say “oh mom I’m sick of school" She lived at home with her family. After her father died in 1973, Ann’s mother was her primary care giver until Ann entered the Sheyenne Care Center at age 52. Ann enjoyed helping her mom with many household chores, watering flowers, picking apples from their apple orchard, making coffee, singing, and keeping a close eye on everything going on outside while sitting in her favorite chair by the window. Ann could be seen there waving at everybody that went by and reporting to mom all activity going on at the hospital or informing mom which one of the kids were not behaving! Ann enjoyed and participated in music, singing and dancing with mom to noon time “polka party “on the radio. Ann also enjoyed sports, wishing she could play and would sneak her brother’s football helmet, duffle bag, bats and claim them as hers by writing her name on everything. She could throw a pretty mean baseball in her day - so watch out if that left hand was swinging! Ann’s last 22 years were spent living with her second family at the Sheyenne Care Center now known as SMP Health-St. Raphael in Valley City, ND. Music was one of the highlights of her life there. Ann’s favorites, (which could be heard loudly on second floor, music events and the chapel) were “Down in the Valley”, "Jesus Loves Me”, and “When the Saints go Marching in”! Her favorite pass time while sitting at her table in her pod overlooking the sports field, was playing cards. Ann’s game was flipping UNO cards-matching them to the right color or number. If a family member was playing with her, she would make sure they got in the right pile or they could expect a good tap on the hand! Ann also felt it her duty to be the “floor monitor”. If anyone was out of line or in need of help, she would yell “hey lights on”! Ann will be remembered for frequently used one-liners, “That’s right”, “Told you so”, “Afraid not”, just to name a few! Ann was a loving happy person with a contagious smile. She will be sadly missed but never forgotten by her immediate family and her second family, the staff at St. Raphael’s. Ann is survived by two sisters and three brothers, Eugene (Alicia), Alexandria, VA, Michael (Kathy), Fargo, ND, Jane (Tim) Kelley, Cottage Grove, MN, Linda (Bob) Retterath, Green Bay, WI and Neil (Jill) Vandrovec, Valley City, ND. She is also survived by two sister in-laws, Beverly Vandrovec, Fargo, ND, Marlyse Vandrovec, Nacogdoches, TX, 14 nieces and nephews and several great nieces and nephews. Ann is preceded in death by her parents, Tony and Irene, two brothers, Ronald and Robert and one great nephew, Tate Warpinski. A very special thank you to all Ann’s care givers and staff of St. Raphael for their loving care and kindness they have shown to Ann over the many years.

Ann Renee Vandrovec

August 19, 1949 - January 9, 2024