Ann Bauerbach Dinnen

Ann B. Dinnen of Port Huron and Traverse City, Michigan, passed away three days after her 97th birthday, on July 22, 2023. Ann was born on July 19, 1926, in Kansas City, MO to the late Albert F. and Hilda (Roth) Bauerbach. She earned her BBA at University of Cincinnati.

Ann met her husband Dr. William J. Dinnen in Detroit, and they married at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at the University of Notre Dame in 1949. They moved to Bremerton, WA where she finally learned to drive just before the birth of her first daughter and her husband's departure on a Navy hospital ship.

They returned briefly to Detroit, and in 1955, moved to Port Huron where they planted their roots. Ann was an active volunteer in the community; she served nine years on the Port Huron School Board, drove for Port Huron Volunteer Bureau, was a group leader for the Junior Great Books program, volunteered at Mercy Hospital and the Port Huron Medical Society Auxiliary.

Ann was an accomplished and creative quilter, designing and stitching each quilt entirely by hand. She took the meaningful experiences of her life and built them into the artistry of her quilting, and gifted them with love.

She was also an excellent gardener, baker, and cook. Her lifelong friends in her potluck group shared gourmet meals and countless outings.

Ann found warm and lasting community in her Catholic faith; she dearly loved her time spent at Port Huron Newman Center where her lay and clergy friends gathered often for services and Coney Island hot dogs across the street.

Ann had a very distinctive laugh, which was recognizable in large public gatherings and frequently reported to her teenage daughters by their friends, much to their chagrin.

For the last few years Ann has been in the loving care of the staff at Orchard Creek Assisted Living in Traverse City. Their professionalism, dedication, and exceptional kindness has been deeply appreciated by her family. Hospice of Michigan provided compassionate staff, outstanding care and services, for which the family is deeply grateful.

Ann is survived by her daughters Jane Dinnen of Traverse City, Katie Chambers of Denver, and Julie (Randy) Kies of Austin, and was lovingly known as Grannie Annie to her surviving grand and great-grandchildren, Andy (Heather) Wares, Sara (Marcos) Gabriel, Mike (Lori Mace) Wares, Joel, Emily and Will Chambers, David (Justine) Kies, Katie Kies, and eight great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her beloved 'Lake Family' of 65 years.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 26, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home, 305 Sixth Street, Traverse City, MI 49684. There will be a time of visitation one hour prior to the service.

Those wishing to offer an expression of sympathy are encouraged to make a memorial contribution to Hospice of Michigan, 10850 E Traverse Hwy #3325, Traverse City, MI 49684; or to Orchard Creek, ATTN: Activities Fund, 9715 E. Cherry Bend Road, Traverse City, MI 49684.