Ann Schimke

Gracious, kindhearted, and devoted are just a few of the words that describe Ann Schimke. She faced various trials throughout her life, but she took whatever came her way with a quiet strength and a graceful courage that were truly inspiring. Ann was a devoted wife and mother who did whatever she needed to do to make sure that her loved ones were well cared for. She had a sense of humor that made her so much fun to be around, and her positive energy drew others near with ease. Although she will be deeply missed, Anns family finds comfort in knowing that she is enjoying perfect peace in her eternal home. During the first half of the 1940s, the eyes of our nation were focused overseas as WWII raged on. With the end of the war in 1945, there was dancing in the streets. As countless young servicemen and women returned home in the days and weeks that followed, the baby boom was soon underway. It was during this exciting time in our nations history that Fredrick and Stella (Cooper) DeBoer were pleased to announce the birth of the baby girl they named Ann Kathleen on September 7, 1949, in Muskegon, Michigan. She was the third of four children in her family as she was raised in the family home on Fourth Street in downtown Muskegon alongside her brothers, Neil and Dale, and her sister, Sue. Anns father was a millworker for Variety Woodworks while her mother was a teacher. For the most part, Ann was a young girl of her generation. She attended Nelson School as well as Central Reformed Church with her family. Ann was a Brownie as a young girl and then went to YWCA Camp Emery during the summer. Her high school years found her at Muskegon High School where she played the clarinet in the matching band. After graduating from high school in 1967, Ann went on to Muskegon Community College for two years. During this time she earned some money by managing the concessions stands at the LC Walker Sports Arena. Ann earned both her bachelors and masters degrees from Western Michigan University. Not to be forgotten during her years as a young woman was Anns introduction to the young man who stole her heart. His name was David Schimke, and they met one night while she was cruising the streets with her girlfriend, Marsha, and David was cruising in his muscle car with his buddy, Larry. As fate would have it, Larry ended up marrying Marcia, and Ann and David got married on May 15, 1971, after Ann finished up her teaching degree at Western Michigan University. As a young newlywed and college graduate, Ann found work as an elementary teacher with Muskegon Public Schools. She taught at several schools throughout her career including Angel, Moon, McLaughlin, Craig, and Nelson Schools. Ann was a gifted administrator who was a principal before she was 30 years old. In recognition of her success at raising the test scores at McLauhglin School, she received a Presidential Award from President Clinton. In addition, Ann was instrumental at establishing the breakfast program to help feed children in the Muskegon Public School System. Throughout her career, Ann was a member of the Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principals Association. Unable to have biological children, Ann and David decided to grow their family through adoption. In 1989 they adopted Joshua, and then his sisters, Jennifer and Sarah, soon followed. Both parents deeply loved their children, and of course they were sure to spoil them rotten, too! Family time was plentiful, and there were numerous trips to places like Disney World, educational trips out East to the Battlefields of the Civil War, Washington D.C., and Jamestown. There were also annual trips in the spring to visit Frankenmuth and Bronners Christmas Wonderland as well as a memorable trip to Niagara Falls. In 2000, life was forever changed for Ann when David suffered a heart attack and died at the age of 52. This left Ann to raise three teenagers on her own. She also had health issues of her own to contend with as she suffered from diabetes for many years. Ann decided to retire a year after Davids death to focus on her family in 2001. She was a wonderful mother whose home was the go-to place for all the kids in the neighborhood. Ann was there to offer her help and encouragement to many of her childrens friends during those years, too. She was also an active member of Laketon Bethel Reformed Church where she served as an elder. The girls eventually grew up and moved out, but her son stayed closer to home to help Ann as she went through more health issues. She eventually needed to go on dialysis, and in 2008 she received a kidney transplant. Anns health did improve for a while, but a few years later she fell and broke her leg. After the fall, her health started to gradually go downhill. Despite her failing health, Ann always kept a positive attitude and a great sense of humor. Her family always joked that Ann had nine lives as she seemed to recover from various things when the doctors had given up hope. Eventually, her health necessitated a move to a nursing home for more care. Several years ago she moved into an assisted living facility in Perrysburg, Ohio, where her sister, Sue, also lived. All who knew Ann Schimke would agree that she was such a blessing to those around her. She was never one to worry about what she had, rather, her focus was on how she could brighten the days of those around her in ways both great and small. Ann was deeply devoted to her family, and her love for them was truly unmatched. She was passionate about her career, and although she accomplished so much of which to be proud she was a humble woman whose greatest joy was found in the love she shared with others. Although life will never be the same without Ann here, she leaves behind a priceless collection of memories that her loved ones will forever cherish. Ann Kathleen Schimke died on Thursday, November 26, 2015. Anns family includes her son, Joshua Schimke of Muskegon; daughters, Jennifer Schimke of Muskegon, Sarah (Kenneth) Shank of Muskegon; grandchildren, Jeremy, Taylor, Aydin, Azlynn, David; brother, Neil (Karen) DeBoer; sister, Sue (Rodney) Paladino. Ann was preceded in death by her husband, David, in 2000; brother, Dale DeBoer; and sister-in-law, June DeBoer, of Spring Lake. Services will be held on Tuesday, December 1, 2015, 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour prior at Clock Chapel - Muskegon with Rev. Sherwin Brantsen officiating. Interment in Sunrise Memorial Gardens.