Age 80, passed away Sunday afternoon, April 24, 2016, at her home with her family by her side, marking the end of an aggressive battle with A.L.S. Her beloved husband of 57 years, Richard, preceded her in death two months prior.

LuAnn was born July 25, 1935, to John and Falula (Smart) Bennett of Pinconning, where she resided with her family until the untimely passing of her parents, at the vulnerable age of 7. After several years of living at St. Vincent’s orphanage in Saginaw, LuAnn was welcomed into the home of foster parents, Fred and Ethel Kelbey, who nurtured her with the same love and kindness they would have shown their own child. Perhaps as a result of her own traumatic childhood, LuAnn was known to welcome other young people experiencing difficulties into her home. LuAnn was a 1956 graduate of St. Mary's School of Nursing after which she practiced as a licensed RN until starting her family.

LuAnn is survived by eight of her nine children: Susan and Tom Ackles of Traverse City, Patrick and Katie (Schoenherr), Kent and Laura (Piper), Dennis and Tracy (Sparks) of Traverse City, Michael and (Tara McGill), Joseph and Lisa (Sweet), Kristin Greenfelder and Ann Greenfelder. She was preceded in death by her son John, who died the day after he was baptized.

LuAnn and Richard distributed evenly the reward and responsibility of family life, both professionally and domestically. Richard diligently and successfully ran the Chesaning Sales Company, with great pride and success. He was a business man. LuAnn meticulously tended to the day to day operations of raising eight children, including cooking, cleaning, education, spiritual education and much more, she was a true domestic engineer and the family flourished. Using her modesty and humility for good LuAnn broke all molds. Among her greatest gifts, she was a mother to the orphaned, a sister to the abandoned, a guiding light for the lost, a role model to young women everywhere and a model Catholic, just to name a few. Her arguably greatest achievements came in the form of adoring grandchildren. Isaac, Denique, Megan, Hallie, Hayden, Aubrie, Mackenzie, Alexandra, Josh (Fish,) Erika, Brendan, Claire, Reese, Lindsey, Justine, Porter and Remy Greenfelder are all counting their blessings today as the fondest memories of her gracious love become prized possessions. Ammalynn, Kennedy, Nakia, Rory, Monix and Jackson, the freshest generation of Greenfelders, are very fortunate to have had a great-grandmother that was in fact, great. LuAnn's passing leaves just one sibling in reverence, Sister Arlene Bennett of Gaylord. She was also preceded in death by her great-granddaughter, Layla-LuAnn, and her treasured canine companion, Ruby.

Even in death LuAnn's grace transcends as she selflessly donated her brain to the University of Michigan in hopes that the data collected will contribute to the treatment and early detection of A.L.S. It is in this essence that the family respectfully requests making a donation to the Neurology Department at the University of Michigan in LuAnn's name in lieu of flowers.

LuAnn’s funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Friday, April 29, 2016, at St. Peter Catholic Church, Chesaning. Fr. William Gruden will officiate. Cremation will follow the mass. Visitation will be Noon-8:00 p.m. Thursday at Misiuk Funeral Home of Chesaning. The family will be welcoming friends at the church starting 9:00 a.m. Friday until time of the mass.

Share your online condolences with LuAnn’s family at misiukfuneralhome.com.