Although she accomplished so much of which to be proud, Mary Ann Seelman was a humble and fun-loving woman who lived a life to serve those around her. No one met her and left unchanged whether her family, friends, or the students she inspired to do their best. With the love of her life by her side for more than 50 years, Mary Ann witnessed her family tree blossom to include the children and grandchildren she adored. With an unwavering faith as her constant companion, she graciously looked for ways to reach out to those around her. With a life that spanned times of great change in the world, Mary Ann created a brilliantly colored mosaic of memories that will remain forever near and dear to all who were blessed to feel her touch. The year 1940 was a year of respite between WWI and WWII when we were still struggling to get out from under the blanket of the Great Depression. As WWII enveloped more and more of Europe during this time, we had hopes of remaining a neutral party until those hopes were dashed with the vicious attack on our nations naval base in Pearl Harbor in 1941. It was also in 1940 that a young couple from Muskegon, Michigan, was able to shift their focus to an exciting time in their own lives with the birth of their healthy baby girl on January 6, 1940. Mary Ann was the second of three children born to her parents, Henry and Ann (Reinhold) Henriksen, and she was raised in the family home on Ada Avenue in East Muskegon alongside her older brother, Dick, and her younger brother, Jim. The Lutheran faith was established as a cornerstone in her life as a young girl, and together the family was members of Emmanuel Lutheran. In many ways Mary Ann experienced an upbringing that was reflective of her generation. She enjoyed things like bowling and ice skating. Mary Ann learned to play the piano as a young girl and regularly played at her church. She was a student at local schools including Angel Elementary, where she established lifelong friendships with a group of girls who referred to their group as the Circle of Friends. From there she went on to Muskegon High School and also held down a part-time job at Baxter Laundry. After graduating from high school in 1958 Mary Ann was ready to embark on the next exciting phase in her lifes journey. She began working full-time at the Camera Shop, which is where she met the young man who would forever hold the key to her heart. His name was John Seelman, and he was a cameraman there. They became fast friends who discovered they had a shared interest in fishing and hunting. Mary Ann and John spent increasingly more time together including at his parents cabin in Baldwin. She also began attending Central Michigan University during this time, where she remained for two years. Mary Ann later transferred to Western Michigan University, graduating in 1962. Not to be forgotten during her years as a student at Western was Mary Anns deepening romance with John. With a desire to establish a life together, the sweethearts were married in 1961 at First Lutheran Church in Muskegon. After a wonderful honeymoon in the Upper Peninsula, the newlyweds returned to Muskegon, where they settled into the home John purchased that had belonged to his grandparents. Mary Ann began teaching second grade at Reeths Puffer Elementary. Together Mary Ann and John were filled with unspeakable joy to welcome their adopted son, John II into their hearts and home in 1971, and with the adoption of Christine in 1974 their family of four was complete. They raised their children in their home at 730 Mills Avenue in North Muskegon not far from Mary Anns parents home. Mary Ann almost always lovingly called her husband, Johannes. From the moment Mary Ann became a mother she was in heaven. She was very involved in the lives of her children including as a Cub Scout den mother. The holidays were always spent at Mary Anns parents as all holidays were a great cause to celebrate with loved ones. The Seelmans enjoyed family vacations to Yellowstone, Florida and Disney World, Canada, and Washington, D.C. Throughout her teaching career Mary Ann loved her work and was held in high regard among her students and peers alike. She spent her time teaching in Reeths Puffer, Orchard View, and North Muskegon school districts. Additionally, Mary Ann was an adjunct professor at Grand Valley State University, and she taught summer math workshops for teachers all across the country. She received numerous awards including the Mildred Sugarbaker award (Region 13) and was accepted into Who's Who among Americas Teachers four times. Mary Ann was also a member of the Shoreline bargaining council, vice president of MEA retired Muskegon, and very active in the West Michigan Science Challenge. She celebrated her retirement in 2000 by taking an Alaskan cruise. There were numerous things that enriched Mary Anns life throughout her entire journey. She loved being up at their cabin that John built in Baldwin near his parents, where she enjoyed swimming in the lake and neighborhood card games. Mary Ann was a lifelong Lutheran, first at Immanuel Lutheran, where she was also the organist. From there she spent 51 years as a member at Trinity Lutheran and also as an associate member of Grace Lutheran in Baldwin. As her family and friends can attest, Mary Ann was an avid University of Michigan fan. Family was always of the utmost importance to Mary Ann. She was delighted to welcome grandchildren into the fold, and she was very close to all of her grandchildren including Andrew, Ethan, and Anna. When separated by distance, Mary Ann and John took regular trips to see their children and their families. Mary Ann and her loved ones were given a tough pill to swallow when she began suffering with health issues in 2002. She was amazing through it all - strong, determined, and fearless in the face of her challenges. A loving, kindhearted, and selfless woman, Mary Ann Seelman was a gift to others. She was a woman of faith, yet she was never overbearing in her beliefs as her life was a witness to people simply in the choices she made. Mary Ann loved being social, and she loved being in charge, too, and her wisdom and leadership skills were unmatched. Life will never be the same without Mary Ann here, but her legacy will continue on through those who follow her. Mary Ann (Henriksen) Seelman died on Friday, November 29, 2013, after a lengthy illness. Mary Anns family includes her husband, John; son, John Seelman, II, of Frisco, Colorado; daughter, Christine (Robert) Koman of North Muskegon; grandchildren, Andrew, Ethan, and Anna Koman; brothers, Richard (Rosemary) Henriksen of Traverse City, MI and James (Judy) Henriksen of Lewes, Delaware; sister-in-law Rochelle Cronk of Muskegon and numerous nephews. Services will be help on Tuesday, December 3, 2013, 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church. Interment at Sunrise Memorial Gardens. Visit with Mary Anns family and friends on Monday, 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. at Clock Funeral Home-Muskegon. Memorials can be made to Grace Lutheran Church in Baldwin, MI. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory.
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