Annalane Maurer

Annalane M. (Groenink) Maurer died peacefully October 29, 2016 with her niece Celia Hastings by her side. She was lovingly cared for by the staff at Boulder Park Terrace Nursing and Rehab Center.

Ann was born April 29, 1918 to Martin and Winifred (Burggraaff) Groenink at the Groenink Farm in Banks Township. She graduated from Bentley Hill Country School in 1932, spent a couple of years at home and then graduated from Banks Township Public School in 1938.

She worked one year at the Reid, Murdoch & Co. "canning factory" as a food inspector. She went to Kalamazoo in 1939 and graduated from Western Michigan's College of Education with a teaching certificate in 1941. She taught in Casanovia from 1941 to 1942. When WWII broke out she enlisted in the WACS (U.S. Army), typing munitions inventory in code in the ordnance section of the Fifth Army as they advanced through the North Apennines and Po Valley toward the Alps. The troops built a special desk for her and moved her work station as the army advanced. At the end of the Po Valley Campaign she saw Mussolini hanging by his heels. While on furlough the WACS were given a Jeep and driver to tour Europe.

Ann attended Bob Jones University for a semester, then moved to California where she worked in Defense. When she saw a notice for former WACS to re-enlist and go to the Pacific Theater, she re-enlisted and sailed for Occupied Japan. She later worked at the Pentagon and at Percy Jones Hospital in Battle Creek. Throughout her military service, she neither smoked nor drank - not even vino in Italy!

While in Battle Creek she met and married Bernard Maurer. They had twin sons John and Louis, and a daughter Debra. The family enjoyed camping trips to many of the National Parks and to Washington D.C.

When her children were grown, Ann returned to college and taught for thirteen years in Battle Creek, including substitute teaching and special education. She later worked as a secretary in a hospital laboratory.

After Bernie died in 1988 she lived in Battle Creek, then with her daughter in Florida until 2001 when she moved back to the Groenink farm.

Ann is survived by her children John (Beth) Maurer, Louis Maurer and Debra Hind; 8 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; her sister Wilma (Fred) Bolhuis, and many nieces and nephews. She was a special aunt to Ardith (Jack) Tornga, Celia (John) Hastings, Roger (Sarah) Bolhuis and Mark (Cindy) Groenink and honorary grandmother to Marie, Lexi and Robert Groenink. Ann was predeceased by her brothers John Groenink, Marvin Groenink, Milton Groenink and infant brother Robert Lee Groenink.

At Ann's request, there will be no service at this time. As she writes, "When I depart this world, celebrate my life by being happy. When you feel sad, remember I am happy with all of my loved ones who have gone before me, and we are busy catching up and watching over you."