Ann Gander, 56, Owatonna
Ann Gander, age 56, of Owatonna, passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, surrounded by her family, after a long battle with cancer.
Ann was born on Dec. 8, 1968, in Algona, Iowa, to Leroy and Marilyn (Roeder)
Grandgenett. She attended school in Algona and graduated in 1987 from Bishop Garrigan High School.
After graduation, she attended Des Moines Area Community College and later transferred to Iowa State University, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration.
She was united in marriage to Chris Gander on Oct. 7, 1995, in Wesley, Iowa. Together they had two boys, Corey and Ryan. They lived in Ankeny, Iowa, before moving to Owatonna where Ann worked at Lincoln Elementary School for many years as the best B.I. (behavior intervention specialist). She was a natural and helped many kids over the years.
Ann loved spending time outdoors, camping, fishing, hiking, snow shoeing, kayaking, and attending the annual Grandgenett Battle Lake fishing trip. She was naturally competitive and enjoyed playing corn hole, golfing, and loved being the skipper of her curling team with close local girlfriends. More than anything, Ann brought the “fun” to all family and friend activities.
She especially treasured quiet moments in nature with the simplest of things like sunrises and sunsets. She simply loved life.
She is survived by her loving husband, Chris; children, Corey and Ryan Gander; mother, Marilyn Grandgenett; brother, Dale (Michele) of Eagan; sister, Lisa (Mark) Miller of Algona, Iowa; and brother Ryan (Kelly) Grandgenett of Ames, Iowa; nieces and nephews Shanna, Katie, Cole, Cade, Claire, Allie, and Jack; brother-in-law Ron (JoAnn) of Maxwell, Iowa; niece Jennifer and nephews Ben and Michael.
She was preceded in death by her father, Leroy Grandgenett, and infant brothers, Joseph and Craig Grandgenett and in-laws Dean and Millie Gander.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Brick-Meger Funeral Home, 1603 Austin Road, Owatonna. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Monsignor Thomas Cook presiding. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. For more information or to leave an online message of condolence, go to www.megercares.com.