Anna Shoemaker, 20

Anna Rose Shoemaker, age 20, of Hudson, Wis., beloved child of God and beautiful daughter to Jim and Peg, went to Heaven to be with her Lord on Jan. 13, 2011, as a result of a catastrophic car accident outside of Ashland, Wis.

Anna was born May 6, 1990, in Le Sueur, Minn., to James O. and Peggy Jo (nee Whitney) Shoemaker. Anna moved to Hudson at the age of 2 and attended school in Hudson. After graduating from Hudson High School in 2008, Anna attended UW-Madison where she was currently a junior pursuing a degree in environmental policy. She planned to take the LSAT next year and begin law school after graduation. Her passion was environmental policy and she hoped to impact the world though governmental policy. Outside of her studies, Anna worked on campus as a server and bartender for events at the Fluno Center and also volunteered as a tutor and mentor for an international student who spoke little English. Anna had also worked part-time jobs in Menomonie at her uncle’s business, Shoe’s Pub, and as a clerk with the City of Hudson Municipal Court.

Anna was recently preparing for a semester abroad in Venezuela, where she would put her minor in Spanish to good use. Anna loved to travel and was no stranger to adventure. Her travels had brought her to Europe, Costa Rica, and Mexico. She loved adventures including skydiving and Class Three rapids kayaking. Anna was known to, and loved by, many peers in the Hudson area through church organizations, such as “TEC” and “Mishpack.” While in high school, Anna participated in basketball, soccer, choir and theatre. Her organizational skills were in high demand in both high school theatre productions and shows at the Phipps. Anna was known amongst her friends as the event planner and someone who loved to shop and search out adventure. She will be remembered as a Wisconsin Badger football fan, and someone who truly cherished her time spent with friends and family. Anna will be missed by her friends that knew and loved her and a loving family that adored her.

Anna is survived by her parents, Jim and Peg Shoemaker of Hudson; her brother, Andrew Shoemaker of Chicago, Ill.; her paternal grandmother, Dona Shoemaker of Menomonie, Wis.; her maternal grandparents, Robert and Shirley Whitney of Prescott Valley, Ariz.; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Anna was preceded in death by her paternal grandfather, Otto Shoemaker; her paternal and maternal great-grandparents; and her beloved dog, Apple.

A Celebration of Life for Anna Shoemaker will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18, at the Faith Community Church, 777 Carmichael Rd., Hudson. Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to services and also from 4-7 p.m. at church on Monday evening, with a 7 p.m. prayer service. In honor of Anna’s passion for her beloved Badgers, those attending the visitation are encouraged to wear their favorite Wisconsin Badger attire.

Remarkably, through the gift of organ donation, Anna was able to save the lives of six people. While they may be strangers, their lives have been forever changed by Anna’s gift of love, which makes them one of us!

Online condolences for the family may be left at www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com, or though Anna’s CaringBridge site at www.caringbridge.org/visit/annashoemaker. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Anna’s family will be directed to causes that were close to her heart.

Services have been entrusted to the O'Connell Family Funeral Home of Hudson and the Countryside Crematory. 715-386-3725.

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