Annabelle M. Brack

On May 19, 1932, Annabelle O'Brien was born in Nekoma, Kansas, the first daughter after four sons. With the births of her younger brother and beloved sister, Evelyn Mae, she became one of seven. Her life as a care giver started early, helping out on her father's farm and caring for her siblings. After high school, she turned her altruistic nature into a career as a registered nurse. It was through her nursing career that she reunited with an old high school classmate, Lloyd Brack; on their first date, he took her dancing. They wed in 1954. Annabelle always loved children. She had nine of her own, and many, many more grandchildren. It goes without saying that she was a wonderful mother. Even while working full-time (nursing homes like Camilla Care Center, Sable Care Center, and Shalom Park) she still had time to cook delicious meals everyday (""She was an excellent cook,"" all her sons say. ""Especially pies."") and sew matching shirts and dresses for her children and, later, her grandchildren. Annabelle took particular delight in sewing Christmas dresses. For forty-two years, her Aurora home has remained a place of comfort for the Brack family. Many of her children and their families visited her weekly; others saw her daily. Over the years, she even allowed many of her relatives (and their loved ones) to stay with her for awhile. Her home and her heart were always open to anyone who crossed her door. Annabelle worked hard her whole life. She didn't retire from nursing until she was in her 70s, and she always prepared a Sunday lunch for the family. Though busy, she did make time to enjoy a good book (particularly those about settling the west), phone her dear sister for an hour-long chat, gather donations for her ""little Indians"" charity, and enjoy a Saturday trip to Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant and the Unique Thrift Store. She was an extraordinary woman. Grandma would say her family was her life. And she was ours. She was our great treasure and we don't know what we will do without her. Annabelle is preceded in death by two brothers, two grandchildren, her parents, and her husband, Lloyd Edward. She is survived by three brothers: James O'Brien, Frank O'Brien, and Raymond O'Brien; one sister, Evelyn Mae Rezac; nine children (and spouses): Teresa Ortiz (Alex), Bruce Brack (Mary), Byron Brack, Ramona Koerner (Robert), Boyd Brack (Tammy), Joan Underland (Phil), Brent Brack (Kim), Bradley Brack (Chris), Basil Brack; thirty-three grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren. Family will receive guests beginning at 5:00 PM on Sunday, October 13 at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 11150 E. Dartmouth Ave., in Aurora. A vigil service will follow at 7:00 PM. A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, October 14 at 10:00 AM at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 13670 East 13th Place in Aurora. Burial will follow at Mountview Cemetery in Bennett, CO. Memorial Donations are suggested to the St. Joseph's Indian School, P.O. Box 100, Chamberlain, SD 57325. Please click on ""Sign Guestbook"" to share memories of Annabelle and messages of condolence with her family.