Clarence Annen

Annen, Clarence J. Of Scotts, MI Clarence "Clare" J. Annen went to his Lord May 7, 2021 at Rose Arbor in Kalamazoo. Clare was born to James Edward and Josephine Agnes (Weiland) Annen on April 9, 1928 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin the youngest of 8 brothers and sisters. His parents moved the family to Kalamazoo, Michigan when Clare was in 5th grade where he attended Washington Elementary, Washington Junior High School, then graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School. On October 23, 1948 Clare married the love of his life Elizabeth "Betty" Sanford in the rectory at St. Joseph Catholic Church. They were married for 63 years when Betty passed. After working with his brothers Ed and Jim at Annen Fluorescent Lighting, Clare was hired at Sutherland Paper Company, where he was elected union steward. He progressed through the union and in 1963 became an International Union Representative for paper companies until his retirement in 1995. Clare was proud to have built their home on the lake, where he and Betty raised 3 daughters who survive them, Patricia (Donald) McNally, Linda (Douglas) Vroegindewey, and Deborah (Joseph) Caruso. Also surviving are grandchildren Scott (Sarah) Vroegindewey, Sara (Daniel) Schuemann, Jeffrey (Deena) Vroegindewey, Michael (Kaili) Linville-Caruso, Matthew (Emily) Deering-Caruso, Jonathan (Lexx Hurley) Caruso, Jacob Caruso, Joshua Caruso, Don (Amy) McNally, Kimberlyn (Christopher) McGrail, 13 great grandchildren, and sister Lillian Griffioen. Clare was preceded in death by his wife Betty, and siblings June, Mae, Gladys, Evelyn, Edward, and James. Throughout the years Clare and Betty spent their spare time attending various sporting and school events of their children and grandchildren. After retirement, Clare loved joining Betty in their gardens, working on their beautiful yard, and enjoying life at the lake. After Betty's passing, he worked hard to continue her gardening legacy. The gardens are famous in their neighborhood with those walking by stopping to admire them. Clare was a lifelong Democrat, supported many Democratic candidates, and was a candidate himself when he ran for the 6th Congressional District seat in 1996 and 1998. When he wasn't gardening or doing yard work, Clare could be found at the computer working on the Annen and Sanford genealogies. He researched and compiled detailed family trees and shared it with the extended families. When asked by one of his grandchildren how he wants to be remembered, he answered, "that I always tried to do what was right". Public Graveside Services for Clare will be held at 1:00pm on Monday, May 17th at Mt. Ever-Rest Memorial Park South, 3941 S. Westnedge Ave. Memorials in Clare's memory may be directed to Hospice of SW Michigan or Lending Hands of Kalamazoo. Please visit Clare's personalized web page to sign his online guest book and leave a condolence or message for his family at: https://www.langelands.com