In Memory

Mary Ann Ahlstrom (Richards)

Mary Ann Ahlstrom (Richards)

 

                        

Mary Ann Richards, 78, of Grand Rapids, MI, passed into the presence of Jesus at 10:15PM on Monday January 15, 2024. She was born October 4, 1945 in Swedish American Hospital in Rockford, IL, the daughter of J. Magnus Ahlstrom and Elna (Senobe) Ahlstrom. She married Dallas E. Richards on June 8, 1968.

Mary Ann was a 1963 graduate of East High School in Rockford, IL. She was a legal secretary and later executive assistants for the vice president of Sundstrand Corp in Rockford; and for the vice president of Bethel University in St. Paul, MN. She and Dallas met at Bethel. Mary Ann loved her role as housewife and mother though she did work several part-time positions for publishers, as a computer typographer, department store accountant and others. She volunteered in the office of Calvary Church, Grand Rapids, MI, where both she and Dallas were members. She also volunteered for Holt International Family Services when they lived in Eugene, OR.

Mary Ann loved hosting meals and parties for her family and friends. She and Dallas enjoyed traveling to visit extended family, and in later years often spent part of their winters in Alabama and Florida. Mary Ann read widely, enjoyed long walks in the woods looking for new birds, and having long conversations on the phone with family and friends. Her precious memories included traditional Swedish meals at Christmas time with her brother, Glenn and his wife, Joanne, along with other family members. Mary Ann usually passed on the lutefisk, however. She was a fan of the Chicago Cubs and Bears. Her joys were especially her children and grandchildren and she was so proud of each one. She loved spending time with them along with their fur babies.

She is survived by her husband and two adult children: Matthew (Susan Lott) Richards of Chicago and Megan (Brent) Modderman of Wyoming, MI. Also her grandchildren: Calvin Richards of Grand Rapids, MI; Christian Richards of Austin, TX; Eli, Oliver and Lucy Modderman of Wyoming, MI; and Kandros and Nadia Richards of Chicago. She also loved her niece, Jennifer (Mattias) Widenbrant of Vallentuna, Sweden; and nephew Jeff Ahlstrom of Rockton, IL; as well as her dear cousin, Nancy (William) Pearson of Rohnert Park, CA. Predeceased by her parents, brother and his wife.

The family would like to thank the staff of Clark Retirement Center as well as Emmanuel Hospice for their wonderful care of Mary Ann.

There will be a celebration of life at Calvary Church, 707 E Beltline NE in Grand Rapids, MI, March 14. Visitation will be at 10 prior to the service starting at 11. Officiating will be Rev. Dr. Jerry Schreur. The family prefers memorials to The Jerusalem Project of Calvary Church as well as to the Alzheimer’s Association at ww.alz.org.

Submitted by Kay (Carroll) Strand