Mary Ann Crothers

Mary Ann “Maryann” (Stenholm) Crothers, 91, born June 12, 1934 passed away peacefully on January 21, 2026 at Kairos Dwelling in Kalamazoo, MI.

Maryann was the daughter of the late Albin Stenholm Sr. and Anna Domzalski Stenholm of Bedford, MI. Maryann graduated from Hillsdale High School in 1952, during which she worked at her mother’s restaurant in Bedford. Maryann met Carlton B. Crothers in 1952, and they were married May 8, 1954 in Battle Creek. They had 2 children, David Crothers and Diane (Crothers) Kilbourn. They spent 58 years together before Carlton passed away in November of 2012.Maryann worked at Kresge’s five and dime downtown Battle Creek before moving on to work at Kellogg Company as an industrial engineering secretary. She belonged to the 25-year club and retired in 1989 after 34 years of employment. Maryann enjoyed her job and coworkers very much through the years. Maryann enjoyed spending time with her husband, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. After retirement she enjoyed spending many summers at their lake cottage with their grandchildren Monica (Heath) Bivens and Jeremy Palmer also taking many trips to Nags Head North Carolina with them and many trips to Norfolk, Virginia to visit their son David. She loved nothing more than being surrounded by her family.

Surviving Maryann are her two sisters, Jan (Jim) Cook of Litchfield, MI and Jane (David) Gardener of Detroit, MI; her son, David Crothers and daughter, Diane Kilbourn both of Battle Creek; granddaughter, Monica Heath Bivens of Battle Creek; grandsons, Jeremy (Rebecca) Palmer of Jackson MI, Carlton (Laura) Crothers of Texas and Arthur Crothers of Battle Creek; great-grandchildren Chelsea Bivens and Brendan Bivens of Battle Creek, Jensen Palmer of Jackson, Faye and Tessa Crothers both of Texas. She also was blessed to have two great-great grandchildren Roman and Jamie Bivens, both of Battle Creek, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Maryann was preceded in death by her parents Albin and Anna Stenholm; brothers, Albin Jr. and Gene Stenholm; husband, Carlton Crothers and grandson, Gregory Spivey.

A funeral service to celebrate Maryann’s life will be held Wednesday, February 4 at 11:30 a.m. at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Cremation Preneed Care. Family will receive friends for visitation from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Interment will follow at Fort Custer National Cemetery. Donations can be made to Kairos Dwelling in Kalamazoo, MI in Maryann’s honor. Personal messages for her family may be shared at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.