Annamae Cihla, age 80, of Rhinelander, died peacefully March 30, 2007 at her home. She was born April 14, 1926, in Marquette, MI., the daughter of Peter and Katherine (McDonnell) Steinmetz, Sr.

She married Arthur R. "Dick" Cihla on October 21, 1950. Ann was a 1945 graduate of Rhinelander High School and was a parishioner of St. Mary's Catholic Church. She went on to continue her education at St. Joseph's School of Nursing at Marshfield from which she graduated in 1949 with an R.N. degree. She returned to Rhinelander as a nurse for Dr. Warner S. Bump. She later worked in obstetrics where she helped deliver many children.

Ann went on to help set-up Friendly Village Nursing Home, where she was their first nursing director. Later at Petersen Health Care, she worked at the Jolly Fisherman with the developmentally disabled until she was forced to retire due to health reasons.

In her spare time, Ann enjoyed reading, watching movies, and caring for her many pets. She was a very giving person who took in many animals and cared for them (and kept them), nursing them back to health when no one else would.

She is survived by two sons; Steven (Tori) Cihla, and Herbert (Dr. Michelle) Cihla, a daughter, Jeanne Cihla, all of Rhinelander, four grandchildren; Alex, Amanda, Anica, and Jake Cihla, a sister, Kay (Victor) Zettler, Rhinelander, sisters-in-law, Margaret and Marion Steinmetz, a special aunt, Betty Helgeson,

as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dick, on September 25, 2002, her brothers, Robert and Peter Steinmetz, Jr., a sister, Anita Rose Laitinen, a brother-in-law, John Laitinen, and a special nephew, Donald Holappa.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Nativity of Our Lord Parish at St. Mary's Catholic Church on Monday, April 2, 2007 at 11:00 A.M. with Father John Gerritts officiating. Inurnment will be in Northland Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 until 7 P.M. on Sunday evening at the Hildebrand-Russ Funeral Home, 365-4343 where a prayer service will be conducted at 6:30 P.M. Visitation will also be one half hour prior to services at the church on Monday morning.

Hildebrand-Russ Funeral Home, 365-4343, has been entrusted with arrangements. A memorial has been established in Ann's name.