Anna Mae Lempke.

On January 6th just before noon this wonderfully strong woman walked on to be with the Creator and those who left this world before her. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great great grandmother, sister, auntie, and friend. With family near she passed peacefully with grace and beauty, ready to be reunited with family and friends lost.

On January 9th 1930, Anna Mae was born along with twin sister Jean to Alex and Rose (Sabesek) Sams in Brethren Michigan.
On November 23rd 1946, Anna married Lawrence Lempke who preceded her in death on May 1st 1993.

She was a very proud Member and Elder of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians and always stayed current on issues facing the Tribal Government and Enterprises and was more than willing to share her thoughts and opinions. She was a great role model for all Tribal Generations.

She will be forever missed by her surviving children Sandy (Steve) Mezeske, Connie Waitner, and Bonnie Kenny. She is also survived by 6 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandchild. Also, her life-long friend Loretta Staff, numerous nieces & nephews, brother-in-law Fred Meduna and daughter-in-law Joanna Lempke.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Lawrence Lempke, sisters Jean Guenthardt and Elaine Meduna, infant sisters Hilda and Beatrice Sams, son Butch Lempke, sons-in-law Karl Waitner and Joel Kenny.

She will be remembered for many things---whether it was Baking her world famous Bread, fishing from a boat, the pier, or the banks of the Big Manistee with the usual suspects or playing cards with other suspects, she was always quick witted and feisty. She always used colorful adjectives to describe the good or bad in any situation. I am sure Grandpa and Butch are catching an ear full of those right now. She is probably looking down right now calling all of her grand and great grandchildren by 4 or 5 different names before getting close to the right one. Most of all, she will be remembered as an incredibly strong Matriarch who loved her family without waver-----through ups and downs, good times and bad---She Loved and was Loved.
She taught us all not to take ourselves too seriously and to give what you could. She taught us how to be proud of our heritage and family and to have their backs—no matter what. Her lessons live on in each of us.

Celebration of Life Services will be held at Aki Community Center (off Dontz Road) on Thursday January 12th. The family will receive friends and guests from 2:30pm to 3:30pm. Services will begin at 3:30pm with a fellowship meal immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Manistee Township M55-US31 Corner Garden or to the Tribal Elders Meal Program.

The Herbert Funeral Home of Manistee is in charge of funeral arrangements.