Annette Louise Aken, 83, passed away peacefully on October 7th, 2026 surrounded by family.

Annette was born in Rockford, IL on January 5, 1943 to Ivanelle and Wayne Liston and was raised by Ivanelle and Burton Liphart. She graduated from Pecatonica High School, married Carl “Tommy” Nelson and moved to Brunswick, Maine while Tommy was in the Navy. She raised her two children in Middlesboro, KY before moving back to Pecatonica in 1974. She married Robert Aken in 1981 and lived in Rockford until moving to Eugene, OR in 2019.

Survived by daughters Darci Burdge (Jim Burdge) and Lorri Nelson (Robin Seloover), granddaughters Haley Angeloni (Nick) and Lauren Burdge (Libby), step granddaughters Alia Seloover (Steph) and Althea Seloover (Jurell), great grandson August Finley, sister Deb Johnson (Steve) and extended family and friends.

Annette grew up ice skating on the Pec river and later figure skating with dear friends. Her love of dancing began in high school with cheerleading and hanging after school at Larson’s Soda Shop.

Her travel was always with or to visit family. She enjoyed many local adventures with Deb and Ivanelle as well as many trips to the east and west coast to visit her daughters and granddaughters.

Annette was a faithful member of Shephard of the Valley Lutheran Church in Rockford and participated in many of their functions. She always offered to help anytime there was a need for food or service at church or in the community.

Many things brought her joy, but her biggest passion was for music and dancing. If the music was playing her toes were a tappin. She loved scrapbooking, cross-stitch, needlepoint, and baking. If you ever visited her home, cookies surely awaited.

Her heart and home were always open to everyone – whether that be family, wayward friends of her kids, fellow church members or the staff at Quail Crest Memory Care. She will be remembered by her quiet presence and warm smile, as well as her love of coffee and sweet treats (and perhaps the occasional Bud Light). She was truly a gift to us all.

Please join us for a celebration of Annette’s life on November 14th at Cimino’s in Pecatonica from 1-4:00pm.