Ann Jean Slanzi Published Tuesday, July 4, 2006 4:29:15 PM Central Time IRONWOOD, Mich. -- Our beautiful, loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and dear friend, Ann Jean Slanzi, 76, of Ironwood, left this worldly life on Friday, June 30, 2006 to join her loved ones and friends that have gone before her. Ann came into this life on Dec. 21, 1929 in Ironwood, the fourth child of six children born to the late Henry and Jane (Anderson) Eplett Jr. She attended Newport School and Luther L. Wright High School, graduating on June 6, 1947. Ann married Frank Anton Slanzi, Jr. on Sept. 4, 1948, whom she loved and cared for until his death in June of 2001 and who loved her dearly in return. After high school and during her early married years, Ann worked as a telephone operator for Michigan Bell Telephone. Ann was baptized in the Newport Methodist Church and was a faithful and long-time member of the Wesley United Methodist Church of Ironwood. Her life was filled with loving family and friends who brought her much joy throughout the years and for whom she was always thankful. These many people continued to show their love and thoughtfulness throughout her recent illness by sending numerous letters and cards. Ann and the family thank all of you for your caring. Ann loved to knit, loved to cook, loved to shop, but mostly loved to be with her family and friends. She was a math whiz and had a particularly fine memory and attention to detail, therefore leading her to seek further education in bookkeeping at Gogebic Community College and working for 20 years as the bookkeeper for the Red Owl Grocery Store in Ironwood, until her retirement in 1987. She took pride in balancing the books to the penny, even if it meant putting in extra hours. Ann was a beautiful, unassuming, gracious lady, and even during her illness was able to retain her sense of humor and remain lighthearted and gentle. We will miss her greatly. Surviving are her son, Donald Frank (Diane), of Bessemer; a daughter, Deborah Jane (David) Fogg, of Mason, Mich.; her grandchildren, Aaron J. (Patty) Fogg, Richmond, Vt.; Mark D. Fogg, Grass Valley, Calif.; Gena M. Slanzi (fiancee´ Bryant Mosconi), Milwaukee; and Noelle A. Fogg, of Mason. She also is survived by her loving sister and brother, Marilyn (Ronald) Nygard and David (Marion) Eplett, of Ironwood; and sisters-in-law Mary Jo Eplett, Rita (Bob) Noyes, Olivia (David) Whitlow and brothers-in-law Leno Slanzi and Reuben Olson; along with many loved cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. In addition to her parents and her husband, Ann was preceded by her brothers Robert, Donald and Ralph Eplett. A memorial service will be held at the Wesley United Methodist Church in Ironwood on Thursday, July 13, at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Jean B. Rencontre, officiating. A luncheon for family and friends will immediately follow in the lower level of the church. Inurnment will be in Sunset Acres Cemetery in Ironwood Township. Ann's family will receive relatives and friends from 10 a.m. until service time at the church on Thursday, July 13. Arrangements are with McKevitt-Patrick and Engstrom Funeral and Cremation Services of Ironwood and Hurley. |