Ann C. Biechele, passed away on December 11, 2022, one day after her birthday. She was 85 years old.
Daughter of Raymond and Golda Conrad, Ann was born in Burns, New York, on December 10, 1937. Her mother delivered her at home, without a doctor at hand. She was the oldest of four children and the Conrad family spent much of Ann’s early childhood in New York. In 1951, she moved to Sandusky, Ohio. By the time she was 15 years old, she started working to help support her family. At the end of her sophomore year, she met Douglas “Duke” Biechele and they started dating. She graduated in 1956 and married her high school sweetheart in 1958. Ann worked the first few years, supporting her husband while he finished his accounting degree at Bowling Green State University. Duke and Ann had three children; Steven, Kelly and Debra.
Early in Duke’s career he was transferred several times and Ann was always supportive, packing and moving their family at least six times by the time Steven was 13 years old. She never lost sight of her early childhood as she and Duke continued visiting New York each year, buying property, and spending time with the many family members that lived there.
Ann was passionate about sewing and crafting. Some of her talent in sewing was used to make her husband’s suits, her daughters’ dresses when they were young, numerous valances, and baby blankets. For many years Ann also made Barbie clothes and took orders during the Holiday season. She also loved to “craft,” making centerpieces, floral arrangements, Christmas ornaments, and her infamous Pinecone Wreaths.
Ann enjoyed spending time at the casinos with her neighborhood “gals.” She planned yearly trips to Las Vegas and a cruise for their wonderful group of lifelong friends. Bowling was another hobby of Ann’s, spending over 40 years on her Wednesday morning bowling league and serving as the league’s treasurer for many years. This was a treasured time that was rarely missed.
Ann was very devoted to her family, never missing a birthday, holiday celebration, or another important event. She was proud of her six grandchildren that were the light of her life over the past few decades.
Ann is survived by her husband, Duke, and three children, Steven, (Cathy) Biechele of Ortonville, MI, Kelly (John) Juronoc of Clinton Township, MI and Debbie (Jay) Grider of Metamora, MI, their grandchildren, Jonathan, Joseph (Brittany), Natalie (Chase), Katie, Alex (Shauna) and Darby (Sean), great- grandchildren Ada, River, Caleb, Haven, and Korra. Her three siblings, Mary Black of Wayland, New York, Floyd Conrad of Rochester, New York, and Ray (Jane) of Wilmington, North Carolina and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Disabled American Veterans.