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- [S927] Obituary.
TRAVERSE CITY ? Avis Joan Hanell, 76, of Interlochen, left her family here on earth to be with the love of her life in Heaven on Sunday afternoon, Dec. 26, 2010, at Munson Medical Center, after a long battle with stroke and heart problems. Born May 21, 1934, in Suttons Bay, she was the only child of the late Ambrose Anthony and Anna Lovice (Johnson) Schaub.
On March 12, 1952, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Traverse City, she married John Clarence Hanell, who recently passed away on Dec. 13, 2010. John and Avis had met at The Collaseum roller skating rink in Traverse City when she was 14 and he was 20. It was love at first sight. Since their first meeting, they were never apart except for John's tour of duty in Korea.
Avis attended local schools and graduated from Traverse City Senior High in 1968. She had left school to marry John while he was home on medical leave from Korea. In 1966 Avis decided she needed to hurry up and graduate before her kids did!
Her career spanned many different areas of business. Avis retired from Eastfield Fashions in 1986 to care for her mother who was fighting cancer.
As a devoted Roman Catholic, Avis attended the Carmelite Monastery, St. Joseph Catholic Church, All Faiths Chapel, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and most recently St. Francis Catholic Church. Avis was very involved with church activities until her health declined.
Avis believed in giving back to her community through her memberships in the Society of Carmel, life member of V.F.W. Auxiliary, life member of the D.A.V Auxiliary, Korean War Associate and the Purple Heart Auxiliary.
Avis was a very loving and giving woman who, with her husband, provided toys and games for Munson's pediatric patients. Hundreds of children over 16 years were blessed with their gifts. The Korean War Veterans Association sponsored them in their year-round project.
As a gifted and talented artist, Avis painted altar cloths for Lake Ann United Methodist Church and St Joseph's of Mapleton. She painted and decorated gowns for 15 Infant of Pregues, many for home use as well as for Immaculate Conception and Christ the King of Acme. Many people were blessed with her designs, including painted sweatshirts for Jeannie C. Riley and Johnny Cash's mother. She was able to take a photograph and paint that picture on anything.
Avis also loved to laugh, camp and play games with family and friends. John and Avis orchestrated many games and competitions at the annual Labor Day camping trip to Burt Lake. For some reason, the grandchildren always won the games. She will fondly be remembered to wait until the last moment to play her jack and euchre her "favorite" son-in-law. As a child, Avis had seven years of piano lessons, and her music will always echo through her children's hearts.
She is survived by her children, John Anthony (Patricia E.) Hanell, of Traverse City, Ralph Ambrose (Peggy) Hanell, of Buckley, and Patricia (Trink) Ann (James) Hanes, of Traverse City; grandchildren, Paul Anthony Hanell, MaryAnn Elizabeth (Todd) Wilcox, Jacqueline Marie Hanell and Courtney Marie (Jason) Nied, Michael Piechocki, Benjamin James (Sharon) Hanes, Christopher John (Alicia) Hanes and Nicole Ann (Kevin) Senko, Lee Clark, Cheryl (Frank) Gray, and Sandy (Ron) Osga; 32 great-grandchildren; and many wonderful in-laws, Otto (Dorothy) Hanell, Saga Lassa, and Ida Hanell, of Traverse City, Mary Hanell and Andy Farney, of Flint; and dear, lifelong friends, Bud and Mickey Bark and Don and Dorothy Lint, all of Traverse City.
In addition to her parents and husband, Avis was also preceded in death by her in-laws, Vike Hanell, Judy Haiss and her husband, Don, Carl Hanell and his wife, Ruth, Ruth Farney, Everet Hanell and Rex Hanell.
Friends may call at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2010, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., where a rosary will be prayed at 7 p.m. A funeral Mass will be offered at St. Francis Catholic Church on Friday, Dec. 31, 2010, at 10 a.m., with visitation one hour prior to the service. Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, at Oakwood Catholic Diocesan Cemetery
In remembrance of Avis, memorials may be directed towards the Carmelite Monastery. Envelopes may be obtained either at the funeral home or church.
Kindly share your memories with the family on their online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.
Arrangements were made with the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.
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1934 - 2010 (76 years)