Mary Ann Labuhn

Mary Ann Labuhn
Our hearts are full of love and loss as we share the news of the passing of Mary Ann "Annie" Labuhn, 89, of Carol Stream, who died peacefully in her sleep the morning of January 31st. Just one night earlier, and by the grace of God, Ann spent a very special night with her family and grandchildren playing games, telling old stories, and sharing laughs one last memorable time.
Ann was an avid reader and passionate gardener, starting several of her children's own gardens in their homes and yards. She made lifelong friends at every venue and at every turn in life, starting with her years at Barat College where she graduated in 1956 with a degree in teaching. There, she made many friends who would meet for 60+ years celebrating life's challenges and successes. After getting married to her husband Albert "Al" and spending several years in Florida where she taught elementary school and a brief stop in Georgia, the family moved to Battle Creek, Michigan where Ann and Al took St. Joseph's Church and School- and Battle Creek- by storm. Their many activities included serving on the school board, starting a dads club, running Vacation Bible School, cantoring and lectoring at church, heading Sunday night bingo, driving buses to many college football games and school field trips, running coffee and rolls on Sunday, and coaching softball, just to name a few. It was a blessed time for Ann and her family, where for 7 years they raised their six children in a community Ann often called Heaven on Earth.
In 1977 the Labuhns moved to Wheaton, where Ann continued meeting and making a mountain of friends, from St. Mark's Church, neighbors on Wakeman, volunteering at St. Michael's school, mailmen, her doctors, beauticians, children's teachers, her children's friends and parents. And last, but certainly not least, her almost 35 years working at Ace Hardware. She had a gift of communicating with customers and developing friendships not only with her fellow workers, but also customers who Ann knew and talked about on a first name basis. It helped that this particular Ace was a small locally owned business, and was a perfect spot for Ann. Life was simpler then, in a day and age when meaningful connections were the standard and modern technology had not yet fully taken over. Chico the monkey, tent sales, 4th of July parades, not to mention most of Ann's kids worked at Ace during her tenure there. Ann had, in essence, found her "Battle Creek". A huge garden of friends.
Her last, and perhaps most cherished chapter of her life, began when the first of her grandchildren arrived 36 years ago and continued until 2017. 15 grandchildren blessed Ann's life each bringing love and joy, hugs and snuggles, and keeping Ann forever young. The highs, the lows, the achievements, the activities, the performances, the weddings, the ceremonies, the graduations, the faith milestones. And not to mention her nieces and nephews from the Crowley and McGowan families and their children. The countless trips to Florida, Texas, and California, cherishing time spent with her growing family beyond Illinois. Ann has a calendar to this day of every single birthday and anniversary of her extended family. She was a light to so many, a life's North Star if you will. Dearly loved. Beyond any simple words. Ann so lovingly remembered every single one of us, and it is very important for us to remember her in the same way. The way she was and is in simpler times, before gadgets and devices sped everything up.
When hodgepodge was the norm.
Ann is welcomed into God's house by her parents Joseph and Marie McGowan, and by her husband Al Labuhn.
She is survived by her children Katie, Michael (Maggie May), Libby (Fred) Hansen, Maggie Krikie, AJ (Marissa), and Therese (Doran) Stambaugh;her grandchildren Al, Jonathon (Chelsee), Grace, Lauren, Sierra, River (Nisha), Sarah Annie, Katelyn, Dylan, Eden, Teddy, Pearl, Olivia, Renata, and Georgina; her siblings Jude (Doc), Joe (Janet), Mike, and Pat; her nieces and nephews Don (Heidi), Dave (Suz), Jimmy (Leila), John (Monica), Joe (Laura), Jeanne (John), Suzi (Kevin), and Jaimes (Julie); her great-nieces and nephews Caprice, Cruz, Cia, Gryffin, Daisy, Lilly, Gavin, Avery, Kaci, Madi, and Theodore; her cherished families starting of course with the McGowans and Crowleys, the Lichters, the Prestins, and the Klausmans, the Zapfs, and the Rauens; her friends Diane Huber, Wren O'Kelley, Jackie Cox, Ginny Maier, and Barvara Hush.
Also welcoming her into Heaven are her brother Dan, her godmother Della, her friend Marianne, the outstretched arms of Doc, and countless other relatives and friends that Annie made along her journey in life.
In lieu of flowers, please consider giving a donation to a cause close to Ann's heart, such as Covenant House and The Morton Arboretum.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, May 31st. For more details to come, please refer to the Williams-Kampp Funeral Home website (www.williams-kampp.com) or (630) 668-0016.