Ann Louise Craven

Born in Tacoma to parents Gilbert E. and Imogene B. Lorenz (née Banta) in October 1930, Ann Louise Craven died of natural causes May 1, 2024, at the age of 93 in Vancouver, Washington.

Ann and her older sister Joan C. Aegerter were the granddaughters of Capt. Edward A. Lorenz, of Mosquito Fleet fame. Their father, Gilbert, worked aboard his father’s steamboats transporting passengers, goods and mail in the days before roads were built to travel around Puget Sound.

She grew up in Tacoma and later in Lakebay before 1945, when the family moved to Ketchikan, Alaska, where she graduated from high school.

She married Thomas Craven in 1952 in Ketchikan and gave birth to the couple’s three children. The marriage ended in divorce in 1971.

Ann moved to Seattle in 1973 where she lived for many years before moving to Longbranch, initially to care for her aging parents. She liked it so well that she stayed after their deaths and made her life and home on Taylor Bay.

A longtime member of the Key Peninsula Lutheran Church, she was active in choir, music and the celebration of Jesus Christ. She belonged to the Key Singers and played piano. She was a member of the Longbranch Improvement Club. It was her beloved watercolor group, “Art Pharts,” that inspired her to keep learning, painting and having fun as her pace of life slowed down. That playful sparkle in her eyes and a good sense of the ridiculous made Ann the life of the party.

In 2018, Ann relocated to live with her daughter in Vancouver, Washington. She remained close with her Art Phart friends and read her KP News cover to cover.

She left her family with an appreciation of life, family, friends, music, art and especially humor.

Ann was preceded in death by her sons, Michael E. Craven and Thomas D. Craven. She is survived by her daughter Joan C. Minnich (Jerry); grandchildren Michael Minnich (Hollie), Elizabeth Minnich, Neil Craven (Laken), Gilbert Lester; and three great-grand- sons, Eligh Tash, Brevik Minnich and George Craven. She was dearly loved by her four Aegerter nieces and nephews and their children. Lorenz remains the most popular middle name in the family.

At her request, there will be no formal services. We miss you, Mom, SeaGram, Seattle Gram and Granny Annie. May God bless you and keep you.