Ann R. Wisniewski

Through the life she lived each day, Ann Wisniewski was an inspiration to all who were near. She was faithful, compassionate, generous, and loving in ways that exemplified what it means to serve the Lord she embraced as her own. Ann was never one to be concerned with material wealth, rather, it was being with her family that grew to include grandchildren and great-grandchildren that was her most priceless treasure. She was joyful in both the peaks and valleys along her life’s journey, and her quiet strength and graceful courage were her constant companions. Although she will be deeply missed, Ann’s timeless legacy that is deeply rooted in faith, selflessness, and unconditional love will be carried on in the lives of those she leaves behind.

With the end of WWI in 1918, America was recognized as a world leader and poised for greatness. With the eyes of the world focused on our shores for what was to come, we did not disappoint as it was our innovation that brought the world radios, washing machines and refrigerators, and motion pictures in both color and sound. Cars had become more affordable for the average family due to the assembly line, and Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh took the world of flight to new heights. It was just as this decade was dawning that a young family from Cascade, Michigan, was blessed with the birth of a healthy baby girl on August 27th. Ann Rosalyn was the fifth of six children born to her parents, Stanislaw and Anna, on the family farm in Cascade. Her parents were hard working people as her father worked in a coal mine in Illinois in addition to running the farm alongside his wife who was also a cheese maker and homemaker. Their farm, located near Old 16 and Buttrick, provided Ann with the opportunity to develop a strong work ethic as she was responsible for picking up stones out in the field as well as for pitching hay. Ann and her family attended St. Adalberts, and she also attended Grove School. It was while growing up that she learned amazing baking skills that people would greatly appreciate throughout her entire life. When her sister Eleanor became very sick, Ann left school after the ninth grade to help care for her. Ann was deeply saddened with her sister’s death a bit later, and this loss greatly affected her for the rest of her life.

New and exciting changes were in store for Ann when she met the young man with whom she would write a love story that would span nearly 60 years. His name was Stanley Wisniewski, and they met while swimming with her brother and friends. He certainly made an impression when he dunked her under until she promised to marry him. Although she was smitten, Ann and Stanley had to wait until she was 21 before getting married. With a desire to finally establish a life together the sweethearts were married on January 10, 1941, at St. Isidore. It was a day to remember as there were blizzard conditions, and they had to spend their first day together shoveling out! Their love was such a rarity as they were true companions whose devotion to one another was unmatched.

The couple moved to their only home at 2605 Bristol Avenue, NW, where they settled into their roles as husband and wife. Ann worked as a fruit grower, and together they raised apples, cherries, pears, peaches, and plums. The Wisniewski family worked year round during all seasons and conditions as they sorted apples all winter. There was never more than three to four days between cherries and pears, which was the only time they were able to get away up North.

Together Ann and her husband were blessed to welcome four children into their hearts and home including Andrew, Patricia, Robert, and Donald. Ann treasured her role as a mother, and she taught her children invaluable lessons such as how to have a strong work ethic and to foster a sense of responsibility. Ann’s children knew what she expected of them, and there was no talking back or negotiating when she said “no” to something. Although the farm kept them extremely busy, Sundays were days to focus on being together. They often went on leisurely picnics to roadside parks or on backwoods rides. Their quick getaways were always filled with plenty of relaxation and topped off with an ice cream cone. Ann and Stanley always knew all the best places to stop to get the most bang for their buck, too. Around the house she ran a tight ship, and somehow she managed to have a full supper with things like pork chops, mashed potatoes, applesauce, and vegetables all ready in the evening after a full day of picking or packing fruit. Of course the house was also clean, the dishes were promptly washed, and there was fresh, ironed sheets on the bed - all of which was done without a dishwasher or washer and dryer!

In addition to caring for her family’s needs, Ann kept busy in other ways. Ever conscious of the needs of others, she donated both in surplus fruits and monetary donations to God’s Kitchen, St. Adalbert’s Church, and the Carmelite Nuns. Ann’s skills in the kitchen were well known as she was famous for her pies. It was also not uncommon for people to drop by the house on the Sunday before Lent for her Paczkis. Ann made hundreds of them, and all of her grandchildren now have the secret recipe, which may or may not have a little whiskey in them to make them fluffy! Her nut cookies were also among the favorites of those who knew her. Every Fourth of July Ann enjoyed riding in Don's old truck while throwing candy to the kids. During their retirement years she and Stanley liked to travel to places like the Soo Locks, Nova Scotia, Maine, North Dakota, and Washington. Ann took Patti to Poland to show her where her parents were from. It was greatly important to her to teach her children to appreciate their ancestry as well as the gifts and blessings in their lives. Ann even took her granddaughters to Europe where they saw the pope.

Faithful, hopeful, gracious, and courageous, Ann Wisniewski was an extraordinary woman to know and love. She accomplished much of which to be proud, but nothing was of greater significance than instilling within her children the faith she cherished in her own life. Ann will never be forgotten.

Mrs. Ann R. Wisniewski aged 94, of Grand Rapids, passed away on November 2, 2014. She was preceded in death by her husband, Stanley J. Wisniewski, and her son, Andrew Stanley Wisniewski. Ann is survived by her children, Patricia Ann (Andris) Salka, Robert Stanley (Mary) Wisniewski, and Donald Stanley Wisniewski; daughter-in-law, Sandy Wisniewski; grandchildren, Deborah (Steve) Szczerbinski, Andrea (Troy) Henderson, Tim (Patty) Salka, Kristin (Bryan) Morrissey, Kary (Ken) Lenkiewicz, Holly (Todd) Alperin, and David Wisniewski; and 13 Great-Grandchildren; Also surviving is her sister, Betty (Ed) Rypma; and best friends, Ann Skop and Pauline Essex. Ann will be remembered by many as she treated everyone as family. She loved to bake and cook and take rides in the country side for the beauty of nature. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 AM on Friday, November 7, 2014 at Basilica of St. Adalbert, 654 Davis NW. Friends are invited to visit with her family from 2-4 and 6-8 PM, with a Rosary at 8 PM, on Thursday at Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW. Contributions in her memory may be made to God's Kitchen. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to read her lifestory, archive a memory, photo, or sign the guestbook online.