Ann Geneva Mauhar

Ann Geneva Mauhar

GLADSTONE — Ann Geneva Mauhar (nee Hebert), 84 years of age, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 7 in Traverse City, Mich. where she had been living with her daughter, Lori Lemmien, for the past four years.

A long-time resident of Gladstone, Mich., Ann was born on April 27, 1940 in Nahma, Mich., the daughter of Reginald and Marion (Olson) Hebert. She grew up in Nahma and graduated from Nahma High School at the top of her class in 1958 and was captain of the cheerleading squad.

On August 1, 1958, Ann was united in marriage to Tony I. Mauhar of Ensign, Mich. and the newlyweds moved to a small apartment on the west side of Gladstone to begin their life together. As happens with these things, two (and then three) boys made a quick appearance into their lives and the young family moved to larger digs at 815 Dakota Avenue, first as renters and eventually as owners, where the Mauhar clan remained headquartered until the end of 2020. This new home made it much easier to attend weekly Mass at All Saints Catholic Church since it was now within walking distance.

Ann was the glue that kept the whole circus from spinning out of control, keeping three growing boys and a husband fed with her amazing cooking (and especially baking) skills, gardening and canning, sewing outfits for the family, initiating home renovation projects by personally kicking off the demolition of every room in the house and working many part-time jobs to help out with the finances including the old Red Owl grocery store and the Ben Franklin store in Gladstone.

In 1974, Ann’s parental life became complete when God rewarded her penance from raising three boys trying to eat her and Tony out of house and home with the daughter she always wanted.

On Christmas Day in 1984, at the tender age of 44, Ann suffered a massive stroke from an undiagnosed congenital weakness in one of her carotid arteries that put her into a coma for a week with no expectation of recovery. Through sheer stubbornness and resolve (and a big assist from the big man upstairs), Ann was able to rehab her way back to lead a full and wonderful life as a wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother for the next 40 years.

In a sense, Ann lived two full lives – the first 44 years spent cooking, baking, homemaking, gardening, canning, sewing, working and enjoying many activities from playing cards to downhill snow skiing and everything in between. Ann loved to travel and was always up for any adventure at the drop of a hat. She was spontaneous, fun loving, highly intelligent, funny and very generous with her time and talents.

The second 40 years, while certainly less active, were no less filled with meaning – sharing time and adventures with her family and friends and bringing joy to all who knew her. Her spark, her wit, her love of travel and her love for her family and friends never diminished one iota during her “second life”. While her physical body played a cruel trick on her and her pain levels certainly increased over the years, Ann never complained. Not once. She was one of the strongest, toughest, most resilient and amazing women that any of us have ever known. And we have been blessed beyond belief to be able to proudly call her Wife, Sister, Mom, Grandma and Great Grandma. We will all miss her terribly, but we take comfort in the fact that she is back in the arms of her beloved “Tone”.

Ann is survived by three sons, Mark (Deborah) Mauhar of Mills River, N.C., Pete Mauhar of Milwaukee, Wis. and Brian (Robin) Mauhar of Layton, Utah; one daughter, Lori (Marvin Nault) Lemmien of Elk Rapids, Mich.; eight grandchildren, Michael (Emily) Mauhar, Marie (Sam) Howard, Matthew (Krissy) Mauhar, Megan (Adam) Furman, Brandon (Nikki) Mauhar, Brianne (Kevin) Riggleman, Ryan Lemmien and Kaylee Lemmien; and ten great-grandchildren. Ann is also survived by one brother, Harold Hebert and one sister, Carol LaLonde, along with many nieces and nephews from this large extended family.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by: her husband of 62 years, Tony Mauhar; two brothers, Howard Hebert and Robert Hebert; and one sister, Kathleen Frankovich (Hebert).

Family will receive friends on Wednesday November 13, 2024, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. Mass of Christian Burial will follow visiting hours, at 4:30 p.m., at All Saints Church in Gladstone, with Rev. Fr. Jamie Ziminski officiating. Luncheon will follow in the All Saints Parish Hall. Ann will be laid to rest with her husband Tony at the Gardens of Rest Cemetery in Wells. The Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting with arrangements. Messages of condolence may be offered at www.skradskifuneralhomes.com