Obituary: Anna Hasenbank, 90, of Free Soil

Anna Hasenbank

Anna Marilyn Hasenbank, 90, of Free Soil, passed away on Saturday, March 23, 2024 at her home.  Anna was born on June 27, 1933 on the family homestead in Grant Township, the daughter of Fredrick and Retha (Peterson) Woebbeking, and graduated as co-valedictorian from Manistee High School with the class of 1951.  On May 3, 1952 she wed Wesley Hasenbank at St. John Lutheran Church at Pelton Corners and they celebrated 53 years together before Wes preceded her in death in 2005.  Anna was also preceded in death by her parents; her son-in-law Rick Gancarz; and her sisters Helen Woebbeking, Ellen Peck, Betty Tripp, and infant sister Doris Woebbeking.

After high school, Ann began working at American Box Board in Filer City as a secretary but mostly loved her role as a mom and homemaker for her family and supporting Wes on the dairy farm and as the bookkeeper for their drainage contracting business.  She served her community as clerk of Free Soil Township for over 24 years, and as a 4-H leader sharing her homemaking skills.  Ann and Wes were members of St. John Lutheran Church and charter members of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Scottville when St. John’s merged with Bethlehem Lutheran.

Ann loved to garden and grew beautiful award winning roses – contracting with Jackson and Perkins as a grower for their company.  In retirement, she and Wes traveled all over the country, especially to warmer areas during the winter months escaping the cold of Mason County.  Her greatest joy was always found in the company of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Ann will be greatly missed by her children David (Mary) Hasenbank, Bruce (Susan) Hasenbank, Rebecca Gancarz, and Michael (Sherry) Hasenbank, all of Free Soil; her grandchildren Melanie (Jason) Hargreaves and their children Logan and Carter of Scottville; Lyndie (Greg) Stokes and their children Justin Hasenbank and Kade Stokes of Free Soil; Dr. Jon (Kate) Hasenbank and their children Adam and Sophie of Allendale; Jeremy Gancarz (fiancée Miranda Kelley) and children Tori and Ethen of Manistee; Ryan (Amber) Hasenbank and their children Ronald and Bryanna of Free Soil; Drs. Melissa (Victor) Hasenbank-Chin and their daughter Valerie of Seattle, Wash.; Christopher (Dr. Julia) Hasenbank and their children Grace and Wesley of New Era; David Gancarz and his children Allie, Ivy, Aeva, and Rylee of Free Soil; Micah Hasenbank of Free Soil; Kimberly (David) Elmore and their children Haley and Hannah of Grand Rapids; BethAnn (Adam) Kozicki and their son Maximus of Free Soil; and Jennifer Gancarz and her daughter Christina also of Free Soil.  Ann will also be missed by her sister Arlene Crofoot of Savannah, Ga.; and her brother Fred (Judy) Woebbeking of Murfreesboro, Tenn.; along with many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held for Ann at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 28 at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Scottville with her pastor, Rev. Kenneth Williamson officiating.  Burial will take place next to her beloved Wesley at Maple Grove Cemetery in Free Soil.  Friends may meet with her family for a time of visitation on Thursday morning from 10 a.m. until time of services at the church.  Those who wish to remember Ann with a memorial donation are asked to please consider the Talsma Missions at Our Savior Lutheran Church.

Please visit Ann’s memory page at www.wymanfuneralservice.com to share a memory of tribute of Ann with her family.