Annette Kay Hellbusch

COLUMBUS—Annette Kay Hellbusch, 58, of Columbus, went to her heavenly garden on Thursday, November 17, 2022, at University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, surrounded by her family.

Mass of Christian Burial was at 10:30 a.m. Monday, November 21, 2022, at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church in Columbus with Reverend Andrew Roza officiating. Burial followed at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery in Fullerton. Visitation was Sunday, November 20th with a 7 p.m. Vigil Service at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church in Columbus. Palmer-Santin Funeral Home is serving the family.

Annette was born April 30, 1964 to Richard and Margaret (Lesiak) Shotkoski in Fullerton. She graduated from Fullerton High School in 1982. After, she attended the School of Business in Grand Island. On September 21, 1984, she was united in marriage to Dan Hellbusch. In 1986, they moved to Columbus for a short time before moving to St. Edward in 1989. While in St. Edward, Annette started a daycare so she could be home with her children. In 1994, they moved back to Columbus where she continued to operate her daycare. In 2004, Danny and Annette bought a large acreage outside of Columbus and this is where Annette’s dream became a reality and, in 2014, she started Country Lane Gardens. She was wise beyond her years when it came to gardening because of the way she was raised. She loved being outside and farming at a young age with her parents and she was able to pass that knowledge onto her children. Most importantly, she was able to enjoy it with her husband who was always beside her rain or shine. Regardless of how busy she was in her expanding business, she always put her family first and even helped take care of her father in his final months in her home. She was always a quick phone call away to help her family. Her pride and joy was spending time with her grandson, Eli and humming him lullabies, which she will be doing in Heaven.

She was a member of St. Bonaventure Catholic Church, where she was a volunteer of St. Vincent De Paul Society, the Ladies of the Lord Altar Society, and the landscaping committee. She loved going to Husker volleyball games with her best friend, Joan. In her final moments, she was still doing what she loved by preparing the Christmas planters for her community. Her biggest motto was to buy the flowers now as you won’t be able to enjoy them at your funeral.

Her legacy will be kept alive by her husband, Dan Hellbusch of Columbus; children, Cody (Macey) Hellbusch of Columbus, Maggie-Jo (Spencer) Trapp of Superior, and Lauran (Lee) Schroeder of Yankton, SD; grandson, Eli Trapp; grand dogs, Bentley, Leroy, Packer, and Red; siblings, Jane (Albert) Sims of Superior, WI, Christine (Eric) Belgum of Hastings, Karen (Tom) Engel of Clarks, Ken (Arlene) Shotkoski of Fullerton, Nancy (John) Reischl of Fairmont, MN, Cindy Wurdeman of Hastings, and Gail (Tom) Knopik of Fullerton; brothers and sisters-in-law, Doug (Carol) Hellbusch of Fullerton, Diane (Harold) Harris of Fullerton, David (Marty) Hellbusch of St. Edward, Darla (Doug) Russell of Fullerton, Dick (Lisa) Hellbusch of Belgrade, Debbie Sonderup of Fullerton, and Marilyn Hellbusch of Fullerton; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and close friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents; infant grandchild, Baby Trapp; brother, Stephen; inlaws, Dale and Vera Hellbusch; brother-in-law, Darrell and Dennis Hellbusch; and nephews, Caleb Reischl and Kurt Hellbusch.