Annabelle L. Lerch

Annabelle L. Lerch, 84, of Goshen, Indiana, formerly of Pocatello, Idaho, and Jackson, Wyoming, peacefully passed away on July 19, 2019. Annabelle was born on July 18, 1935, the daughter of John W. Stuckey and Bertha L. Frey Stuckey.

Annabelle grew up on a farm in Archbold, Ohio, surrounded by many cousins who maintained life-long friendships.

Her interest and aptitude for science began early as evidenced when she won the Archbold Science Fair which earned her the honor of traveling to Oakridge Laboratories and to Washington, DC, where she met Bess Truman.

In an era when most young women did not go to college, she earned a degree in Chemistry from Goshen College in 1957. She was the third woman to earn a Chemistry degree from the college. She earned her Master of Arts in Education from Idaho State University in 1976.

She married Robert D. Lerch in 1957 and they were blessed with four children, Robbin, Laura, Bob and Barbara.

During her professional career she taught Chemistry in Freeman, SD, Las Cruces, NM, and Pocatello, ID. Her love of science and teaching inspired many students, including her four children who all claim her as their high school Chemistry teacher. Along with her husband, she taught National Science Foundation Chemistry and Physics workshops for elementary teachers at Idaho State University.

She received numerous awards that highlighted the inspiring teacher and scientist she was. Among these are Teacher of the Year for Pocatello, Idaho in 1978-79, Presidential Science Teacher Award for Idaho, 1985, American Chemical Society Outstanding Teacher, 1992. She was active in the Idaho Education Association and served as Vice-President in 1981-82. She was awarded a Woodrow Wilson summer fellowship at Princeton University in 1984 and a National Science teacher fellowship at Pfizer Pharmaceuticals in 1985.

She was politically active and encouraged her children and grandchildren to be socially conscious and was an early adopter and advocate for environmental care.

Upon retirement from teaching she moved to Jackson, WY. Her love for art, particularly Native American art, inspired her to volunteer as a docent at the National Museum of Wildlife Art. She was voted Volunteer of the Year in 2001 and 2010. Annabelle also used her love of art and antiques to start her own business, Annabelle’s Antiques and Collectables. She also supported the arts in various ways in her communities.

Annabelle and Bob travelled extensively, camping with their children, and in their retirement years, enjoyed traveling internationally with friends and family.

Throughout her life she was active in her church and was a woman of strong faith. She served in various church leadership roles and she shared her beautiful soprano voice in choirs everywhere she lived.

She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Robert D. Lerch, and four children, Robbin O’Leary (Mike), Laura Lerch Horst (Randy), Robert A. Lerch (Jennifer) and Barbara Weaver (Mark), eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a brother, Allen Stuckey, a sister, Louise Rudo and by many of her cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Orlene Mason.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial gifts may be made to Eighth Street Mennonite Church, Goshen College Alumni Scholarship Fund, Mennonite Central Committee, or the Greencroft Foundation.

Memorial services will be held at Eighth Street Mennonite Church. Visitation on Sunday, July 21, 2019 from 5 to 8 pm and Monday, July 22, 2019 from 2:30-3:30 pm, Memorial Service to follow at 4:00pm.