Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

November 14, 2023

WAXHAW – Anne Elisabeth “Annie” Mandsager, 63, passed away November 14, 2023, at home following her prolonged and determined struggle with cancer.

Annie was born and raised in Sioux Falls, SD, the youngest child of the late Charles and Sarah Mandsager. Proud of her Norwegian heritage, her midwestern upbringing molded her character of high energy, optimism, independence, diligence, and faith in God, always infused with a sense of fun and wry humor.

An extroverted woman of strong conviction ever ready to express her mostly unfiltered views on most anything to anyone, she nevertheless exhibited an uncanny empathetic ability to immediately connect with all who met her: so much so that by the end of a conversation the person would likely have shared with Annie more intimate detail of themselves than they would be willing to with a spouse or a therapist.

Annie’s restless and adventurous nature led her from South Dakota to Southern California, where among other experiences as a self-confessed So-Cal party girl she lived with a previous spouse on a sailboat moored at Marina Del Rey.

After a few years of what she acknowledged to be an extended adolescence, she accepted an offer from her older brother Mark to come to Charlotte to work with him at his carpet and flooring store. Never being the sort to take direction from any man—least of all a brother or a spouse—she eventually took over the business, renamed it “Black Dog Discount Carpet Outlet” in honor of her beloved black dog Sara, and operated it successfully for many years.

Being smitten during a fateful stroll along Ocean Isle Beach by a friendly French bulldog who waddled out from under a beach umbrella to greet her, Annie then acquired her first Frenchie, Zoe, her beloved companion for the next thirteen years before passing mere months before Annie herself. Ever the entrepreneur, Annie soon got into the business of dog breeding, and quickly established a national reputation as a breeder of both French bulldogs and cavapoos.

Although she never had children of her own, she brought joy to hundreds of people through her canine children, who now happily reside with their respective humans throughout the United States.

Annie had an affinity for animals of all sorts, and in addition to dogs kept chickens, bees and the parrots Olaf and Penelope. She was a talented gardener, photographer and baker who loved being outdoors, if not on land, then especially on the water.

By nature, a person of action and determination rather than contemplation and quiet acceptance: halfway was never Annie’s way. Rather, a thing was not worth doing if not done all the way. Annie never acknowledged that the disease she resisted for so long would ever prevail over her stubborn will to live. Death may have taken her body, but it did not capture her spirit.

Annie is survived by her husband Lane Williamson of Waxhaw, NC; sister Miriam Kunstal and husband Frank of Loveland, CO; sister-in-law Doreen Mandsager of Indian Land, SC; nieces Kiersten Mackie, Rachel DeKraker, Ali Lindsay, and Carly Mandsager; nephew Tedd Mandsager; together with grandnieces, a grandnephew, stepchildren and stepgrandchildren. She was predeceased by brother Mark Mandsager.

The family thanks Doctors Kathryn Mileham, Chris Stephenson and Nevin Markel for their compassionate care of Annie; and Annie’s special friend Dawn Forgash for her abiding assistance and companionship.

A memorial service for Annie will be held at Waxhaw United Methodist Church, 200 McDonald Street, Waxhaw, NC, at 3:00 PM on Friday, December 1, 2023, followed by a reception in the fellowship hall. Interment will be at a later date at Steele Creek Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

Memorials may be sent to the animal rescue organization of your choosing.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28204 (704)641-7606. Online condolences can be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.