Letty L. Kiem

born April 26, 1940 to Miller and Myrtle Lee in Bradenton, Florida. She learned to read at a young age and was an avid reader all her life. It was common to find her curled up with a blanket in her sunroom reading her “smut.”

Annie graduated from Florida State University. While in college, her roommate introduced Annie to her brother, Bob. It was love at first sight. Impatient to wait the three days required in Florida, they eloped to Alabama in late 1962.

Bob served 30 years in the Navy. He retired an admired and decorated Captain. Annie was said to be the epitome of a Navy wife, the “wind beneath his wings.” She was an anchor on the home front, supporting Navy wives and their families. She volunteered countless hours to Navy Relief with passion; she mastered the art of entertaining at home and was a good listener.

Three children were born to this union. They were Annie’s pride and joy, as well as her headaches. She was known to say, “Cigarettes and Coca-Cola saved her children from an early demise.” Bob taught his kids early that Queen always outranks Captain and laid the law for “If Momma ain’t happy…. Ain’t nobody happy.”

Annie accompanied her husband to many duty stations throughout the country including California, DC, Florida, Virginia, Hawaii and Texas. She enjoyed traveling overseas visiting Italy, Japan, Ireland, UK, Austria, Germany and more. She felt blessed a “small town girl” could have “a damn near perfect” life.

Annie was a role model to her family, a mentor for her cousins, a beloved aunt, and a favorite niece and even won “Mom of the Year” (circa 1974). She gave great advice, such as “never learn to cook a turkey or you’ll have to do it rest of your life.” Her specialties were homemade pies, sweet rolls and fruitcake.

Annie passed away peacefully on January 9th after a short illness. She is preceded in death by her parents, her brother Mike, her husband Robert, and son Douglas. She is survived by her daughters, Elizabeth Schemenauer of Stuart, FL, Kathryn Seslar of Boca Raton, FL, favorite daughter-in-law, Angela Kiem, of Irwin, IA, six grandchildren, and many other relatives and friends. She will be forever remembered in our hearts.

Donations in her honor can be made to the Manatee County Historical Society, 4501 Manatee Ave. West, #234, Bradenton, FL. 34209.