Kirk Pitman Hansen of Ann Arbor, Michigan, formerly of Lake Isabella, age 49, passed away on May 14, 2024.
He was born August 5, 1974, in Columbia, Missouri, the son of John Christian and Elizabeth Ann (Hornyak) Hansen.
Kirk graduated from Chippewa Hills High School in Remus in 1994. He earned his bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature from Central Michigan University in 1998. In 2000, he received a Master of Fine Arts in Writing and Poetics from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. In recent years, he lived in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and did contract technical writing.
Kirk was focused on creative pursuits. A poet, writer, musician and artist, he carried a deep appreciation for fine art, music, dancing, writing, and, especially, poetry. He was the lead guitar player in the band “Proud.” He met Rebekah when he was twenty years old. They shared a spiritual connection and had many adventures together. Kirk was reverent about life and had a unique presence that drew people to him. Kirk often said his greatest accomplishment was his daughter Anya, who was his world. He was a kind, gentle and devoted father to her.
A memorial service will be held Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. at Cole Funeral Chapel in Chelsea, with Rev. Mandy Beal from the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ann Arbor officiating. The family will receive friends before the service Tuesday, from 4-6 p.m.
For the full obituary, please click here.
Winnie Parker of Chelsea, MI, passed away May 12, 2024 due to Lewy Body Disease.
She was born Winifred Suzane O’Haver on November 29, 1937 in Terre Haute, IN to Emma O’Haver.
She was known as Winnie-Sue until she shortened her name to Winn. But to her family, Winnie always fit her best.
In her early years, she lived with her Grandmother and grew up with cousins and extended family nearby. During her junior year of high school, her beloved Grandmother passed and Winnie moved to Clarkston, MI to live with her mother and step-father. It was there that she met her first love, Jim Hagen. They married in 1955 and had three sons. She enjoyed being home with the boys and they kept her quite busy. But the young family suffered a life-changing loss when Jim tragically died in an auto accident.
Winnie and the boys moved in with relatives until she was able to find a way to support her family. Due to her endless determination, she secured a job as a secretary and rented a house for her and her boys, in Detroit, MI.
In 1964, she went on a blind date and met the second love of her life, Joseph Parker. They were married a year later and eventually added a daughter to the family. They moved to Chelsea when Joe took a job in Human Resource at the Chelsea Proving Grounds. Winnie went back to taking care of her family for many years until she returned to work as a secretary, also at the Chelsea Proving Grounds.
At the age of 35, one of the greatest moments in her life occurred – she met her biological father, John Roe. The instant connection they had was a valuable missing piece in Winnie’s life. She and her father had many similarities and they clearly enjoyed each other during the few years they had together. She also happily gained a sister and step-mother.
For the full obituary, please click here.
