Anne Katherine Barauskas

Some of us live for money, for fame, or for success, so driven by our pursuits that we often forget for what we were searching. Anne Barauskas had simpler, nobler goals ~ she lived simply for love. She had a long and satisfying life, enjoying and growing in each season. She was accomplished in her many relationships, a wonderful mother, grandmother and friend to many, but Anne was, above all, an amazing wife.

The year was 1912, and America was enjoying a transformation in many facets of its culture, as our nation moved from the toils of the Industrial Age to the innovations of a new, Progressive Era. Tragedy shocked the world in 1912, with the sinking of the Titanic, a pinnacle of Western prosperity and innovation. Even still, for the first time, Americans could enjoy their prosperity. In the little Northern Michigan community of Blaine Township, Michigan, located in the stunningly beautiful Benzie County, the Stuart family was enjoying their own prosperous times, blessed with the birth of a baby girl.

Anne Katherine Stuart was born July 23, 1912, on a hot summer Tuesday in Blaine Township, the daughter of Donald and Mary (Speath) Stuart. The Stuarts came from good Scottish stock, and the Speaths were Bavarian in ancestry. They raised their children to be hardworking, respectful, full of faith, and most of all loving. Anne was one of seven Stuart children, and everyone in the family home grew up knowing how to help out and take care of each other. Anne grew up as a tomboy, best buddies with her brother Jim. The family home was on Upper Herring Lake and their paternal grandfather lived with them, adding a wonderful spirit to their family life. In the summer he would take them down to the lake after lunch and dishes were done so they could swim. Like everyone else in the area, they were poor in material things, but the Stuart's were rich in family and heritage. The attended a one-room schoolhouse that was about a two-mile walk from their home. In the winter their father would hitch up a horse to the cutter and give them a ride to school. The family horse, Mike, didn't much like leaving the barn, so he did not go at a leisurely pace. Children along the way could hitch a ride with the Stuart's if they could run and jump on the cutter - Mike wasn't about to wait.

Anne grew up into a fine young lady, and moved a little south to the lovely port city of Ludington. She was blessed with three wonderful children, daughters Jeanne and Margaret and son Emil.

Yet something was missing for Anne. One day, she met a wonderful man named Stanley Barauskas, and the two were married on November 14, 1953. Thus began a wonderful marriage. Anne and Stanley were blessed with 52 years together.

As newlyweds, they operated Barauskas Orchards in Riverton Township. Over the years, this was a successful venture, a beautiful farm full of wonderful cherries and apples. Anne never hesitated to help out around the farm, often working beside Stanley in the orchards. She would jump on the tractor to help whenever needed.

Anne's greatest pride came from being a wonderful mother, homemaker and wife. She did all she could to provide for her children's needs. Anne enjoyed many other pleasures in life. She had a strong affection for all kinds of animals, and loved and cared for many different pets over the years. Her father often warned her husband, Stanley, "At least she hasn't brought home an elephant!" But, if she could have, she probably would have.

Anne was an avid reader. She read many different things and had read through her Bible completely four times. She was a very faithful Catholic, and longtime member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. Among her many pasttimes, Anne also enjoyed her garden and was well-known for its beautiful display.

But Anne's favorite part of life was her gift of devotion to her beloved Stanley. Once she had found that love in her life, she learned to cherish it. Those who were blessed by her love, will appreciate every day they had to know her. She will be so greatly missed.

Mrs. Anne Katherine Stuart Barauskas, aged 93 of Riverton Township passed away peacefully early Tuesday morning, April 4, 2006 at Memorial Medical Center in Ludington after a brief illness. Anne Katherine was born on July 23, 1912 in Blaine Township of Benzie County, the daughter of Donald and Mary (Speath) Stuart, and has resided in Ludington since 1930. On November 14, 1953, she married Stanley Barauskas, and they have celebrated 52 years of marriage. She was preceded in death by her grandson Erik Sjoholm, her brothers and sisters James Stuart, Emmett Stuart, Agnes Ferris, Angeline LeSarge, and Margaret White. Anne will be lovingly remembered by her husband Stanley, her daughters Jeanne Kagey and Margaret (Charles) Hayes of Ludington, her son Emil (Florence) Sjoholm of Pleasant Valley, New York, her stepdaughter Sandra Borrusch of Detroit, her grandchildren Christopher Sjoholm, Sonja DeHaas, and Thor Sjoholm all of Beacon, New York, Sigred Vaughn of Cornwell, New York, Katherine Powers of New Town, Connecticut, Elizabeth Kagey of Florissant, Missouri, Randy Kagey and Donald Hayes of Baldwin, and Deborah Black of Grand Rapids, 12 great-grandchildren, and her sister Jeanette Cargill of College Station, Texas. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 8 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Custer with Rev. Godfrey Onyekwere as celebrant. Burial will take place at the Blaine Township Cemetery in Benzie County. Friends may meet with her family for a time of visitation on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Stephens Life Story Funeral Home in Scottville. The Rosary will be prayed for Anne on Friday evening at 8:00 PM at the funeral home. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to St. Mary's Catholic Church. Please visit Anne's personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com to sign the guestbook, or leave a memory for her family.