Mary Ann (Kolenda) Kihnke

Mary Ann Kihnke (Kolenda), age 74, of Harbor Springs, Michigan, passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by her family on Saturday, November 23, 2019. She was born August 8, 1945 in Grand Rapids, MI to Edward and Mary (Burchardt) Kolenda. On January 29, 1966, she married Lynn Bruce Kihnke, they spent 53 fun filled, adventurous years together.

Mary Ann was a member of Holy Childhood of Jesus Catholic Church in Harbor Springs. Always loving and caring, at the age of 12, Mary Ann took on the role of mothering her 9 siblings when her own mother became an invalid and could no longer care for the family. Devoted to her friends and family, Mary Ann never missed an opportunity to frequently send cards for any reason and her genuine interest in people and their lives left a lasting impression. Mary Ann loved to cook big meals and thoroughly enjoyed having everyone around for long visits, sometimes lasting all night or into the next day, never wanting the fun and laughter to end. Mary Ann and Lynn enjoyed boating and traveling the country in their motor-coach, often kidnapping the grandkids for great adventures and always including their beloved Golden Retriever, Max.

The proud and doting mother and grandmother, Mary Ann will be forever missed by her children, Kimberly Kihnke and son-in-law Daniel Laninga, Brian Kihnke and daughter-in-law Sharon Kihnke; grandchildren, Autumn (Caleb) Walker, Alexis Kihnke, Alyssa Kihnke, Lilah Laninga and Logan Kihnke. She will also be missed by her brothers, sister, brother and sisters-in-law: Evelyn Kolenda, Richard (Sally) Kolenda, Robert (Mary Lou) Kolenda, Edward (Mary) Kolenda, Diane Remenak, Joseph Kolenda and Thomas (Leanne) Kolenda, Lee (Janet) Kihnke and Karen Matvichuk and many well-loved nieces and nephews. She dearly missed her brothers Ronald Kolenda, Raymond Kolenda and Roger Kolenda who proceeded her in death.

A memorial mass will be held by Father James Bearss on Monday, December 2, 2019 at the Holy Childhood of Jesus Catholic Church of Harbor Springs at 11 am, with a one hour gathering prior and luncheon immediately following. Visitation will be held Sunday, December 1, 2019 from 2-4 at the Holy Childhood of Jesus Catholic Church. For a lasting memory, the family is asking that donations be made in memory of Mary Ann to McLaren Hospice of Petoskey or the Little Traverse Bay Humane Society.

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