Hanusa, Martha Ann's Obituary
Martha Ann Hanusa, of Wailuku, passed peacefully into heaven on 30 November 2024, with her husband resting by her side. Maggie, as she liked to be called, was born on 7 May 1932, in Napa, California to August and Louise Gruenhagen, the middle child of 5 siblings.
As a child, she liked to play in the almond orchards near her home, and one of her most memorable childhood memories was attending the opening of the Golden Gate Bridge when she was 5. The family were faithful members and active in St. John’s Lutheran Church in Napa.
On 31 August,1952, she and Robert Hanusa were united in marriage in Napa, and a year later their first child was born. When Bob was discharged from the Coast Guard in 1954, the small family moved to Council Bluffs, Iowa (Bob’s hometown) and built their first house, where they lived for 18 years. Four more children were added to the family, and Maggie kept busy, lovingly raising her five kids, canning produce from their huge garden, cooking, baking, being active in her church and a wonderful hostess to many Sunday meals in which relatives and church visitors were invited. She also squeezed in time for her hobby of cake decorating, making birthday and wedding cakes, and even sent a 40th anniversary cake to her parents through USPS!
Maggie entered a Pillsbury Bake-Off contest in 1970, and she was one of the 100 finalists who won a trip to Honolulu for the Bake-off in February 1971. It was a life-changing event, as the family moved to Maui in June of 1972 and built a beautiful home in Waiehu. Maggie welcomed many families and friends from around the world and hosted parties, weddings and anniversaries with delectable food and baked goods. She was active in Emmanuel Lutheran Church, volunteering time and service. She loved to dress up for Halloween, often in wild and crazy costumes. She will be remembered for her delicious baked goods, her loving and generous soul, love of God, family and friends, Scrabble playing, loving organ music and Christmas.
Maggie is survived by Robert, her husband of 72 years; her five children: Janet Reindl (Montana); Ann (Chris) Tuxford (New Zealand); Paul (Jane) Hanusa (South Dakota); Kathy (Todd) McDonald (Maui); Dave Hanusa (Montana); 11 grandchildren and one great grand (with another on the way); brother Dave (Trudy) Gruenhagen (Idaho); sister-in-law Pat Gruenhagen (California) and numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held Sunday, 8 December at 3:00 p.m. at Emmanual Lutheran Church, 520 W. One Street, Kahului. Live stream and recorded video link: https://youtube.com/live/HY4vibSU_cI?feature=share
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Emmanual Lutheran School Education Fund.
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