Mary Ann (Rempert) McEwen

Mary Ann (Rempert) McEwen, 93, of Frankenmuth, passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 17, 2024 at her home at Winter Village, Frankenmuth, Michigan.

Mary was born on October 11, 1930 to Hilda (Burr) and Fred Rempert on a modest farm in Tawas City, MI.  She graduated as valedictorian of Tawas City High School in 1948, where she was voted as "most likely to succeed." Her yearbook described her as "slender, tender and tall" and highlighted her accomplishments in basketball, band, theater and library.

She attended Bay City Junior College, boarding with a family as their nanny, and continued on to Central Michigan Normal School. She met her future husband, Jerold McEwen, at CMU and graduated in 1952 with a degree in education. She and Jerry were married March 21, 1953. Mary taught at Pinconning High, Saginaw High and Arthur Hill schools, teaching English and drama while coaching basketball.

In 1961, she moved to Frankenmuth where she continued her commitment to education, serving as a student teacher coordinator for Saginaw Valley State College.

Later, she finished her master's degree and served as the lead librarian at Frankenmuth's Wickson Memorial Library for nearly two decades while juggling the demands of raising two boys, David and Bruce.

Mary had the heart of a volunteer and devoted much of her spare time to helping others in any way she could.  One of her most notable and recognized efforts was the founding of a local thrift store called the Clothes Line.  Mary reached out to all the local churches to establish a regular flow of clothing donations – and volunteers - for the thrift store. Since its inception in 2004, over $800,000 has been donated back to the community with more than 100 volunteers perpetuating the Clothes Line's mission today. In 2010, Mary received the Frankenmuth Women's Club Edelweiss Award "for her significant contributions to education, civic development and social improvement."

Mary is survived by her two sons David (Kathleen) and Bruce. She is also survived by three grand-daughters Shannon McEwen-Barbas (Brian), Averi Vroegop (Mitchel) and Rachel Chung (YeJoon), three great-grandsons Charlie and Jack Vroegop and Simon Barbas, nieces Patricia (Dennis) Rowe, Janet (Mike) McEwen, William (Sheryl) McEwen. Mary was predeceased by her parents, brother-in-law William McEwen and sister-in-law Ruby McEwen and her daughter-in-law Silke Paulsen.

Memorial Service will take place on Saturday, January 27, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. at Frankenmuth United Methodist Church, 346 Vates St., Frankenmuth, Michigan. Mary's family will receive visitors at the church from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to the Wickson Memorial Library, 359 S. Franklin, Frankenmuth.