Anneliese Marta (Meyer) von Knobelsdorff-Brenkenhoff, 101 and nine months, passed away peacefully at her home in Red Wing, Minnesota on November 26, 2024.

Anneliese was born on February 18, 1923 in Schülern, Germany. She was the second of seven children to Wilhelm and Marie (von Frieling) Meyer.

Anneliese was a home economics teacher training young women to run households. She met her future husband, Ernst August von Knobelsdorff-Brenkenhoff, in 1951 at the Friedrichshausen estate, where they both worked. They dreamed of coming to the United States and building a life together.

In January 1954, Anneliese and Ernst embarked on a nine-day journey by boat to the United States. Anneliese stayed in New York, working with a family, while Ernst continued to Minnesota to find a suitable place for them to build their life.

On September 4, 1954, Anneliese and Ernst were married in Rochester, Minnesota. In 1958, they purchased 200 acres of land east of Goodhue in Belvidere where they raised their three children, Hermann, Renate, and Juergen.

Anneliese was a devoted farmer and gardener with beautiful vegetable and flower gardens. She enjoyed hosting friends and family for elaborate meals and garden parties. Throughout her life, she proudly maintained her German heritage, often telling stories of growing up in Germany, baking traditional tortes and cakes, and occasionally inserting German words into conversation. She found joy in raising her children, was active in volunteering at the Goodhue school, and in her community with 4-H, St. Peter's Belvidere Ladies Aid, and the Goodhue County Homemakers.

Her family often joked the secret to Anneliese's long life was butter, an evening brandy, and cigarettes.

Anneliese is survived by her children, Renate (Bill) Richardson and Juergen (Charlotte). She was a loving Omi to four grandchildren, Aaron (Molly) Roussell, Brian (Erica) Roussell, Christa (Michael) Foss, Karl von Knobelsdorff-Brenkenhoff; and 12 great-grandchildren: Riley, Kelsey, Kendall (Aaron), Jacob, Owen, Alea, Jack (Brian), Magnolia (Christa), Lillian, Arlyn, Lewis, Hermann (Karl).  Anneliese's spirit carries on among many other friends and family around the world.

Anneliese was preceded in death by her husband Ernst, son Hermann, parents, and siblings.

The memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 9th at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Haycreek.  Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the church.  A private family burial will be at the Belvidere Union Cemetery. The family prefers memorials to the Red Cross.