Our beautiful, loving wife, mother and grandma passed away peacefully on June 10, 2024, at home with her family by her side. She fought a battle against cancer that no one should have to fight, but did it with incredible courage, dignity, and grace.
Ann was born on June 6, 1940, in Appleton, Wisconsin, the second of four children of Ann (Kugler) and Sylvester Schwanke. She received the sacraments of Baptism, Holy Communion and Confirmation at Holy Name Catholic Church in Kimberly, Wisconsin. She graduated from Kimberly High School in 1958 and one month after graduation she began her job at Kimberly Clark Corporation in Neenah where she worked for seven years. Ann married Robert J. Kons in 1960. A few years later they adopted a son, Joey. Tragically, both were killed in a car/train accident in February 1967. Their daughter, Michelle, was born later that year. On May 2, 1968, Ann married Robert “Bob” Van Grinsven and they had two more children, David and Deanna.
Bob and Ann moved their family to the Clintonville/Shawano area in 1977 and opened Country Squire Antiques, which they operated for 15 years. She then utilized her organizational and positive people skills as the Office Manager for Northland/Tri-City Glass in Clintonville until she retired in 2005.
Ann was a creative, witty woman who was naturally expressive. She was active in many community activities and organizations, most notably The Box in the Wood Theater Guild where she was a founding member who served two terms as president. For over 30 years, she was involved with the Mielke Arts Center as an actress in over 20 productions as well as taking on director, producer and house manager roles. For several years her column, “What’s Going on at the Mielke” appeared in six area newspapers. Ann also was a member of the original planning committee for the first county-wide Miles of Art Event. As a member and officer of the Shawano County Arts Council, she volunteered and organized the staff for the annual Arts and Crafts Fair. Theater was in her blood, and she was forever entertaining her family and friends with her vibrant personality and funny quips.
As a breast cancer survivor, Ann was very active in the Relay for Life where she had been featured as a speaker and was an inspiration to many. Even after going through two more bouts with cancer and while going through treatment, she continued in her efforts to raise money in hopes of eradicating this horrible disease.
Ann’s faith was a big part of her life and she leaned on it heavily throughout her life and most especially with her most recent diagnosis. She was an active member of St. Mary’s Parish in Leopolis, serving on the pastoral council, as a Eucharistic minister, and, of course, as a reader on the Lord’s stage.
Ann had many hobbies outside the theater as well and for many years was a member of the “Step N Sisters” tap group as them between dance numbers comedy relief character, ‘Granny Annie,” and was a member of the Clintonville Historical Society. In 2013, she was named one of the Shawano County Commission on Aging’s “Living Treasures.”
Through all the many activities that filled Ann’s life, nothing was more important or precious to her than her family. After cheering on her children and watching them have their own families, she and Bob made countless trips throughout the state to cheer on their grandchildren in sports, theater, graduations, and countless other activities.
Ann is survived, and will be missed dearly, by her husband Bob, daughter Michelle (Dwayne Nash) Pedretti, Milwaukee, and grandson Ethan Pedretti, son David (Nikol) Van Grinsven , Shawano, and granddaughter Alison Van Grinsven, and daughter Deanna (Chris) Holder, Oconto, and granddaughters Tara and Peyton Klose. She is further survived by brother John (Mary) Schwanke and sister Nancy (Keith) Bowers, brother-in-law Jim Ahrens, along with several nieces and nephews, and her dear best friend, Gloria Sharp.
Ann was further preceded in death by her older brother Sylvester Jr. “Vessie”, her parents, her father and mother-in-law John and Leocadia Van Grinsven, her brother-in-law Lloyd Van Grinsven, and her sister-in-law Alice Ahrens.
A memorial Mass will be held on Monday, June 17th at 11:00am, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Leopolis with Fr. Luke Ferris and Fr. Timothy Machila officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30 am and continue until the time of service. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery.
To Ann, “all the world’s a stage,” and now she is gracing the greatest one in Heaven, finally pain free.
