Anne Fiedler

Anne Fiedler, 88, a longtime Charlevoix Township resident, was released to the arms of her Lord and Savior on Dec. 28 at Charlevoix’s American House.

She was born July 22, 1936, to Elmer and Signa (Anderson) Johnson at the family’s home in Mancelona.

She graduated in 1954 from Mancelona High School as valedictorian. On Sept. 1, 1956, she married James Fiedler, of Charlevoix, when both were students at Michigan State University. Anne graduated magna cum laude in 1958 with a bachelor’s degree in English. She and her husband were raising their four children when they helped establish Charlevoix Church of the Nazarene, which opened in 1967. Anne served there as a pianist and organist, Sunday school teacher, board member and treasurer, and was active in the church’s missionary society. She received a Distinguished Service Award in 1987. She began substitute teaching in 1970 and was hired in 1975 as a teacher assistant at Charlevoix Elementary School. She retired in 1999.

Beginning in 1997, Anne and her husband joined short-term Work and Witness mission trips through the Church of the Nazarene. For about 15 years, they traveled nearly annually to Central America, including Belize, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama. They also served at Sun Valley Indian School in Arizona. At the various sites, they participated in construction projects and children’s ministry. The couple received a Good Samaritan Award from Nazarene Compassionate Ministries in 2018 for supporting needy children. Anne volunteered at the Rainbow Shoppe, a Charlevoix thrift store, and served as secretary of its board. She also served as a local election official.

She was devoted to family, Bible reading, prayer and hospitality. Her children are grateful to American House and caregiver Jane Thelen for fostering her well-being in her final years.

Anne was preceded in death by her husband, two brothers and three sisters. 

Surviving are: four children, Lisa (Ken) Norberg of Santa Maria, Calif., Kris Fiedler Way of Charlevoix, Erik (Brenda) Fiedler of Melvindale, and Andre Fiedler of Chicago and Charlevoix; a sister, Milly (Mark) Fiedler of Battle Creek; six grandchildren, Kelly (Chris) Way Davis of Gainesville, Georgia, Stephanie Way of Park City, Utah, Jonathan Way of Masterton, New Zealand, Benjamin (Jacki) Way of Kewadin, Aaron Stevens of Newport, and Aubrey Smialkowski of Pickerington, Ohio; and 10 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 4, at Charlevoix Church of the Nazarene, 12023 Waller Road and U.S. 31. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. that day at the church.

Contributions may be made to Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, 17001 Prairie Star Parkway, Lenexa, KS 66220, www.ncmi.org.

Arrangements are in the care of the Charlevoix Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.

Sign her online guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com