Johanna A. Kuieck

With great Love and Respect it is announced that Johanna (Hannie) Kuieck peacefully passed this recent Thursday, August 14th, 2025 at her home in Elk Rapids, Michigan. She is surrounded by the Love of her family and caring friends. She was 85 years old. Hannie was born Johanna Apolonia Prins in Rotterdam, Netherlands, in 1939, to her parents Cornelis Ari and Johanna Pluentje (Verhoek) Prins. As an infant and young child, she survived both the bombing of Rotterdam in 1940 and the Battle of Arnhem in 1944. Hannie and her family were liberated by Allied Forces in 1945. Growing up in post-war Rotterdam, Hannie attended school in Switzerland before completing remote campus courses from Cambridge University. She briefly worked for the Dutch Fokker Aircraft Company. Fluent in four languages, she was working as a translator for Simca (Chrysler) Motors, where she met her future Husband, Boyd Kuieck of Grand Rapids, Michigan. They were married in Rotterdam in 1959 shortly before moving home to Michigan. Boyd's international career would take Hannie and family back to Europe for several years, then to Indiana, and eventually back to Michigan, to Torch Lake. While in Indiana, Hannie established, owned and operated her successful pet grooming business, Wags & Whiskers, Inc., for many years in Muncie. She often specialized in working with abused animals by gently earning their trust with ease. She would regularly groom shelter dogs so they would have a better chance of being adopted. Hannie and her own dogs and cat were quite active as Certified Therapy Animals for those in need, with one of her personal Therapy Pets earning their Diamond Paw Certification. Hannie remained active with Wildlife Rescue for many years in Northern Michigan. Hannie was an athlete. As a youngster, she was an avid bicycle tour adventurer, a fencer and figure skater. She became an avid alpine and cross-country skier, tennis player and bicyclist finishing countless tours in Northern Michigan. A committed long-distance runner, Hannie began running at age 40 and proceeded to finish six Marathons and many other races well into her late fifties. While gradually losing her eyesight due to Macular Degeneration did slow her down, she remained on skis and biking until recent years. Hannie became a certified Senior Master Gardener who enjoyed flowers and Organic Farming most. She enjoyed volunteering her time at Raven Hill Discovery Center in East Jordan, Michigan and some Watercolor Painting. Hannie always looked forward to attending the Stone Circle in Kewadin, Michigan on summer weekends. Host Terry Wooten crafted her childhood story as a world-war refugee in a book entitled, “Child of War”. Hannie was preceded in passing by Boyd Kuieck, her husband of 56 years, both her parents, and her older brother, Kees Prins. She is lovingly remembered today by her younger brother, Willem Prins and her Daughter, Shanna Branding (husband Dave) and her Son, Scott Prins Kuieck. Hannie has four grandchildren, Alisha Branding, and Zena, Mori and Aaron Kuieck. Nephews and Nieces include Kim & Boyd Anderson and families, and, overseas, Danielle and Veronique, Kees, Rob and Marga & families. And her loving Good Cat, Finnegan, who has earned his wings and rarely left her side. Hannie will be remembered as a Woman who approached Life with positive outlook, good humor, and as one who danced to her own drum. She fearlessly spoke her mind and quietly cared deeply for the lives around her with unmatched resilience. A celebration of Life service may be announced at a future date. Donations in her memory can be made to any Animal Rescue of your choice or charity benefiting Macular Degeneration research.

Johanna A. Kuieck

November 22, 1939 - August 14, 2025