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NellieAnn VanHaaften

April 8, 2017
Manistee, MI

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NellieAnn VanHaaften (formerly of Kalamazoo) age 78 of Manistee, Michigan died Saturday, April 8, 2017. She was born on September 2, 1938 in Kalamazoo, Michigan and was the daughter of the late Dr. Robert J. and Katherine (Gall) Armstrong. She was a graduate of Kalamazoo Central High School, class of 1956. NellieAnn received her Bachelor of Science Degrees in Elementary Education and Art Education in 1960 from Western Michigan University. She married John Allen VanHaaften in Kalamazoo, Michigan on August 30, 1958. She later married Howard Morlan Bush on May 28, 1977 in Manistee, Michigan. Howard preceded her in death on March 13, 1991. NellieAnn was then reunited with John Allen VanHaaften in marriage on September 23, 2006 in Brighton, Michigan. During her working career she had been employed with the Brighton Area Schools as both an Arts & Crafts Teacher and assistant in the Media Center, with the Michigan Dyslexia Institute as a tutor, and as an election worker in both Saginaw and Mason counties. NellieAnn was a devoted grandmother who enjoyed spending time with her family. She also found time to be a researcher for the Atlas of Breeding Birds of Michigan as well as spending time on her hobbies of scrapbooking, gardening, handcrafts and nature photography. She attended Providence Presbyterian Church in Manistee, MI, was a charter member of the Livingston County Arts and Crafts Association, a Board Member of Community Concerts in Saginaw, the Saginaw Choral Society and Hartland Choral Society, and a member of the Little Manistee Watershed Conservation Council. She is survived by her husband; John Allen VanHaaften of Manistee, her daughter and son in-law; Diane and Ken Hill of Saginaw, MI, her son and daughter in-law; Garret and Lisa VanHaaften of Howell, MI, two step-sons and daughters in-law; Michael and Kathy Bush of Sarasota, Florida and Robert and Janie Bush of Ovilla, Texas, six grandchildren; Isabella VanHaaften, Claudia VanHaaften, Chloe Hill, Daphne Hill, Mackenzie (Bush) and Logan Hanes, Logan and Haylie Bush, and one great granddaughter, Adeline Hanes. Many cherished nieces and nephews also survive her. She was preceded in death by two sisters; Mary Jane Armstrong and Kathleen (Armstrong) Hauke. Burial service will be held Monday, June 12, 2017 at 11AM in the chapel at Mt. Ever Rest Memorial Park (South Westnedge) in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider the Little Manistee Watershed Conservation Council.