Barb J. Andrus

With an infectious smile, a ready laugh, and a generous heart, Barbara Joan Andrus lived a life rich in family and friends. Barb was boisterous, outgoing, and social. She loved people and treated everyone with equal respect and dignity, connecting instantly with strangers and quickly making them her friends. Known for her quick wit and strong will, Barb inspired all who had the pleasure of meeting and knowing her. She was naturally inquisitive and listened sincerely, providing a safe space for people to simply be. No matter how challenging, Barb embraced each day as a gift and always led with her heart. A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, Barb will long be remembered and so dearly missed.

1952 found most Americans considering themselves to be prospering. As the iconic musical film "Singin' In The Rain" premieres at Radio City Music Hall, the popular Mr. Potato Head toy was first sold, and the world's first passenger jet, The Comet, was produced, signaling the start of faster and cheaper air travel. The middle-class standard of living continued to grow and appeared to have no boundaries; it was definitely a time of much hope. Nowhere was there a greater cause to celebrate the possibilities of hope than in the hearts and home of Robert and Elizabeth Wolfston as they welcomed their daughter Barb Joan on November 21 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Growing up on the northwest side of Grand Rapids on Charlotte, NW, Barb was the third of seven children: Mike, Mary, Margaret, Patricia, John, and Katie. Sadly, her sister Margaret died at birth. Barb's father was a project manager for Haven Busch Company, and her mother was a registered nurse. Very social, Barb was fun and mischievous as a child. She attended St. Mary's and Holy Spirit Elementary schools and graduated in 1970 from West Catholic High School, where she was the 1970 May Queen.

After taking classes at Grand Rapids Junior College, Barb began working as a teller at Michigan Credit Union League. The job suited her well; she was naturally gregarious and always enjoyed connecting with customers and coworkers.

In 1974, Barb's friend set her up on a blind date with Mike Andrus, the brother of the man her friend was dating. When Mike arrived to pick Barb up, he recognized her from a party they had both attended. While out to eat at the Yellow Jacket restaurant on Lake Michigan Dr. that evening, the server accidentally dumped beer on both of them. Despite that soggy first date, the couple stayed in touch while Mike worked in Detroit. As they continued dating, they liked going on adventures together. One such adventure was driving in Mike's MGB convertible to attend the food/beverage festival in Windsor, Ontario.

With their hearts set on sharing the future, Barb and Mike married at St. Mary's church on July 18, 1975. They continued the celebration by driving down for the adventure to Marco Island, where Mike discovered that Barb didn't like hot weather, so they stayed indoors a lot.

The newlyweds settled into their first home on Escott NW, where they lived before moving to Shawmut Ct and eventually settling on Lamont Ct. Barb and Mike were thrilled to become parents when their son Nick was born in the spring of 1979. The couple always talked about spacing their children out; their daughter Ellie was born in 1983. Tragically, in 1987, their son Jonathon died at birth. Son Alex completed their family in 1990.

Though Barb worked part-time when her kids were young, she mostly wanted to be home to raise them and attend all their special activities. Never shy about her support of her kids, she could be quite vocal at their events. She was always up for an adventure or party and loved spending time up north. For many years, the family rented a cottage on Beaver Island and would rent a hotel for a week with family in Empire. The family also enjoyed exploring Disney World and taking cruises. Barb also loved a good kitchen dance party, especially if her favorite 80s and 90s country tunes were being played. She and Mike often danced in the kitchen on Sunday nights.

When tragedy struck again when Barb's son Nick died in a car accident on October 31, 2010, her heart broke in unimaginable ways, and she was never the same. Compounded by limiting health challenges, Barb became more reserved and isolated. Never wanting to burden her family with her health issues, Barb continued to support her children and grandchildren the best she could. She particularly enjoyed being in their homes, sitting, watching, and listening. The louder and more fun the chaos, the better.

Always passionate about her people and causes, Barb loved bragging about her kids and grandkids whenever possible. She shared a special bond with her grandson, Emory, Nick's son. She bought each of her grandchildren a piggy bank with their name on it when they were born and liked to give them money when she saw to put in it, sometimes a five or twenty-dollar bill. Barb poured herself into supporting Ellie through her cancer journey, encouraging her with the wisdom, "Each day, find something you could laugh and smile about." She volunteered at Make a Wish and enjoyed shopping with Ellie and going out for lunch. She liked getting shrimp and lobster at Outback Steakhouse or Walker Roadhouse, and as much as she enjoyed a good meal, she truly loved the friendships that she made over the years at each establishment. In the comfort of her home, Barb loved her dogs and her wildlife friends, feeding the deer and squirrels.

Though life was very difficult for her after Nick's death, it had become better in the last few years. Even when things were hard, Barb continued to speak her mind, tell it how it was, and make people laugh, often by pronouncing things incorrectly. Her persevering spirit and unwavering love are the foundation of Barb's beautiful legacy that will be proudly carried forward by those she so dearly loved. In each moment we gift others an inviting smile, choose hope over fear, be inquisitive and informed, cheer on our loved ones' endeavors, give of ourselves in service of others, and dance with our beloved, we celebrate the countless ways Barb made the world a better place. In this way, we keep her spunky spirit alive and inspiring others as she so inspired each of us.

Barbara Joan Andrus, age 72, of Grand Rapids, passed away unexpectedly on December 13, 2024. She was preceded in death by her sons, Jonathan and Nicholas; parents, Bob and Betty Wolfston; father-in-law, Emory Andrus; sister, Margaret Wolfston; and brothers-in-law, Roger Andrus and Jerry St. Andre. Barb is survived by her husband, Mike; children, Ellie (Travis) Wilcox and Alex (Danielle) Andrus; grandchildren, Emory, Quinnlyn, Theo, Harper and Julian. Also surviving are her mother-in-law, Marlene Andrus; siblings, Mike (Jan) Wolfston, Mary Beth St. Andre, Patricia (Ted) Hawco, John (Barb) Wolfston and Katie (David) McClimans; brothers-in-law, Larry (Celia) Andrus and John Andrus; sister-in-law, Lori (Blair) Abbott; and many nieces, nephews and friends. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11 AM on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at Holy Spirit Parish, 2230 Lake Michigan Dr. NW. The family will receive visitors from 4-7 PM on Wednesday at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Alt and Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW. Contributions in her memory may be made to Make-a-Wish Michigan. Celebrate Barb's life by sharing your favorite stories and photos on her dedicated webpage at heritagelifestory.com