Annette Rahrig

December 3rd, 1958 - October 6th, 2012

Annette 's Memory Wall

We encourage you to share your most beloved memories of Annette here, so that the family and other loved ones can always see it. Share your favorite stories or comment on those shared by others.

Steve, Regina, Cindy, Kathleen and Luke, words are so hard to say right now. I had a friend tell me recently that this is just our temporary home and we all will be together in our heavenly home. Annette had a contagious smile and a heart of gold. I am so sorry for your lost. Heaven has a new angel and we are left to carry on until we meet again. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. use your memories and good times to help you through this trying time. Please know we are there if you need anything, we are just a phone call away. May god wrap his loving arms around you and comfort you during this time. All our love Erwin and Vonnie Watson

Vonnie and Erwin Watson Jr

Steve and family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you. I have heard people speak of a courageous fight and understand better what that means after watching how you have handled the last year-and-a-half. It is now that we understand what Jesus gave to us through His courageous life. Now Annette enjoys Glory and the suffering is over. She had so much love to share and it is because of that that we feel her abscence in our lives. She left behind a legacy of love. May God give you comfort and peace at this difficult time.

Rick & Marty Derf

Steve and "kids", you have my deepest sympathies. I first met Annette as the mother of a wild bunch of great kids. She had a loving family whom she loved with all her heart. That love and understanding spilled over into her relations with others, especially after the children grew up. She seemed to know innately how to deal with others and their problems and griefs. Annette will be sorely missed in this world, but we can gain comfort from knowing her soul has gone to be with her Lord.

Carol A Jensen

Steve, Cindy, Regina, Kathleen, Luke and all of your spouses & children.

I am so sorry for your loss. Annette was a beautiful woman, who shared of herself easily & loved fully. We are all blessed to have known her. Tell your children about her often, especially that smile & laugh together when you tell them stories of her. She lives on in all our hearts & memories. You all have a very special guardian angel looking out for you now.
Love to you all,
Cousins Theresa & Steve Dean

Theresa Dean (Gawron)

Dear Steve,Cindy,Kathleen and family,
We are so sorry to here about the passing of Annette. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. I saw Annette in Sept. & we had a nice long talk. I was just shock when I heard of her passing. She was my co chairman for the Miss So. Haven Queen pagent for mmay years. I always told her she was my right hand & could not have done it without her. We got to be very close. She was a dear friend, beautiful person and always smilling. She will be dearly missed. Louise Ford

Peter & Louise Ford

Steve, kathleen, cindy, regina and luke we are truely sorry. Annette was a wonderful woman inside and out she will be missed very much we know what your going threw. Just know shes looking down on all of you. She will never be forgotten that was like my second mom growing up. If you guys need anything just let us know where here for you and kathleen if you need to talk im here i know its very hard. We love you guys and keep your head held high. she would want you too. R.I.P ANNETTE YOU WILL BE MISSED DEARLY.

brandi and lonnie abbott

The sun will never shine the same way again. I was very saddened to learn of the passing of Annette. The memories of my childhood are wrapped around the Gawron family. Not only were they the best best next door neighbors, they were family. Annette was always so full of joy and happiness and made us all smile all the time. To the entire Gawron family and Annettes family my heart goes out to you and know that you are in my thoughts and prayers in your time of sadness. God Bless each and everyone of you! Love you!

Matt Andrews

To Annette's family,

Annette was one of the sweetest, kindest person I had ever met. When my husband passed away 3 yrs ago she was so helpful to me and my family. Later I found out how much she and her husband like to fish and fish for the big fish at that (her husband did though)! I passed on Jim's many fishing spots and maps and she gladly accepted them passing them on to her hubby! I'm so glad I got to know her. Her bright smile (always smiling) was like a ray of sunshine during hard times. I know she will be missed by many including my self.

Diane Vinoski

To Aunt Margaret & Uncle Frank, Steve and the Rahrig children/grandchildren, and to our Gawron cousins, we wish to express our deepest sympathy and heartfelt sadness for your loss. My first memory of Annette: When she was an infant (fresh from God) we visited the Gawron's with my mom and Grandma DeMarse, and I was allowed to hold her! Since I was only six years old, this was a very big deal. Growing up and as an adult, I would describe Annette as walking kindness. As so many others have said, her gorgeous warm smile and patient presence will be cherished and missed. Know that you are all held in our hearts in love and prayer.

Gary & Mary Jeanne (DeMarse) Silvis

Dear Annette…
Now that I know that you are no longer here on earth, but with God, I have something to say.
I knew you only through working with you at Jeff’s. I was there basically to pinch hit for Jeff when he wasn’t there so you were at your post every time that I was.
When I first started there, I didn’t know the ropes at all so I had to depend on you to tell me a multitude of things…what papers had to be filed; where they could be found; where to stand; how to answer the phone; how to put the phone on hold; where to find a price list; probably in one of the file drawers filed, not in alphabetical order, but instead according to Jeff’s order, which I still don’t understand; how to work the chapel’s heating/cooling system; where the CD’s are; how to operate the sound system; where to pin the mic on the clergy; etc. However, you were more than a person to impart the wealth of operations information, but more importantly…my good friend.
While carrying out the important job of running an efficient office, we still had time to talk. Sometimes it was about business, sometimes it was about our families, sometimes it was about the latest joke that Jeff played on one of us, sometimes it was about politics (we both agreed on just about everything), but mostly it was about nothing specific…the weather, the So. Haven Queen contest, the spider that was crawling up the window near Wendy’s desk and that was about to attack her. You made me feel welcome and comfortable there. You made everyone welcome and comfortable, no matter where you were. Clare still remembers the fun we had on the dune buggy rides with you “Ya-hooing” with your arms raised high as we went over a dune. The vitality you had where ever we were with you will always be remembered by all who you touched. Thank you for being a part of my life for I am a better person because of it!
Rest well,
Dave Rutlin

Dave Rutlin

I am so sad to hear about the loss of such a precious cousin. Annette and I loved to play at family gatherings while we were growing up in Muskegon. Annette was such a sweet soul and so kind to everyone, animals included! Annette always had a contageous smile and something nice to say. The last time I saw her she talked about her family and how much she enjoyed her grandchildren.
My prayers are with you as you grieve such a huge loss.
I know Mom and Dad are excited to see her in heaven and Uncle Jene is giving her a long tight hug!
Love and prayers,
Luanne

Luanne (DeMarse) Bartles

09, 2012
Dear Aunt Margaret and Uncle Frank and all my dear cousins,
Wow! It's a girl! I remember the excitement of hearing that Auntie Margaret had a baby girl after three boy cousins (who were equally wonderful) and her name Annette which I loved. How deep your grief must be at the loss of your dear daughter and sister. Please know that I share in your grief and am holding you all in love and prayer. May the knowledge of her embrace by Jesus bring you comfort at this time. I will always think of Annette's ready smile and sparkling eyes when I saw her.
Love, Kath

Kathleen Levey

To Steve and family,we send out our deepest condolences to you during this time of sorrow, you will always be by her side forever and soon be reunited together in heaven with no pain, our sincere thoughts and prayers are with you always, God Bless.

John 3:16- For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.