Anna Hartsema, a long-time resident and former businesswomen of Fremont, passed away on June 1, 2016, attended by family members and care-givers. She was 101 years old. Anna was born on September 5, 1914, the oldest of John and Tekla Matuszewskis four children, and graduated from Muskegon Heights High School in 1932. After graduation, she worked for many years at the Colton News Agency in Muskegon, an experience that provided useful background for the later purchase of the Fremont News by Anna and her husband, Abe Hartsema. Anna and Abe moved to Fremont permanently in 1952 when they purchased the newsstand. As a businesswoman, Anna became involved in community activities. She was the first woman to be elected a member of the Fremont City Council and served briefly as Fremonts Mayor Pro Tem. She was active in civic and retail committees serving on the Board of Directors for the Fremont Chamber of Commerce, Fremont Planning Commission, Fremont City Council, Retail Merchants Association, and Board of Directors at Gerber Memorial Hospital. Anna was a member of the Fremont United Methodist Church. Anna enjoyed a life-long love of dancing and music. As a child, she attended neighborhood dances with her family and took dance lessons, leading to participation in dance competitions, performances, and exhibitions. Annas love of the dance and music continued through her life, and any music could be prompt her dance, clap her hands, or tap her toe in time to the music. She often delighted family members and fellow residents of the Fountain View Retirement Village where Anna lived for the last few years with impromptu dancing whenever music was provided. Annas parents, siblings, husband, and a great-grandson preceded her in death. Anna is survived by 3 daughters, Virginia Kraus of Fanwood, New Jersey, Nancy (Robert Park) Noble-Park of Newaygo, Michigan, and Jillyn Grafton of Felton, California; 4 grandsons, Karl Kraus of Phillipsburg, New Jersey, Jeffrey (Dawn) Noble of Rockford, Michigan, Daniel (Sally) Noble of Freeport, Illinois, and Steven Grafton of San Francisco, California; 6 great-grandchildren: Mercedes Noble, Dakota Noble, Paige Noble, Cord Noble, Katherine Noble, and Rebecca Noble. Funeral services will be held at 2 PM on Tuesday, June 7, 2016, at the Crandell Funeral Home in Fremont. Visitation will be held from 12-2 PM prior to the service. Interment will be in Maple Grove Cemetery. Suggested memorials are to Fountain View Retirement Village of Fremont. Friends may share memories and condolences online at www.crandellfh.com.

Visitation

Tuesday, June 7, 2016 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Fremont Chapel 7193 W 48th Street Fremont, Michigan 49412

Tuesday, June 7, 2016 2:00 PM

Fremont Chapel 7193 W 48th Street Fremont, Michigan 49412