Annette K. "Annie" Kretz, was born in Defiance, Ohio, on August 7, 1953, the daughter of Charles Robert and Beverly M. (Mansfield) Rettig. She attended and graduated from Defiance High School in 1971, during which time she loved being a member of the band and, due to her kind and vivacious spirit, was named 1970's Homecoming Queen. She then attended Bowling Green State University. Annie passed away at her home on their small lake in Big Rapids, Michigan at the age of 61 on April 28, 2015, where she lived with her husband, Michael. Mike and Annie were together nearly every moment of their 42 years as husband and wife; they truly were best friends. With their partner, Annie and Mike opened and operated restaurants in Boulder and Denver, Colorado. Annie leaves behind: her sister, Lynette R. (Terry) Feeney of Nyona Lake, IN and their children Rob (Bokop) and Abby (Josh) Purdue; and her sister Jennifer (Steve) Manfredini of Lafeyette, CO, and their children Nick and Gianna. Annie and her family were very close; she loved her sisters, her parents (both deceased), her aunts, uncles and cousins very much. Annie enjoyed reading (a lot), movies, music, sports, and travel. Annie was a rare combination of qualities that touched everyone she knew: remarkably strong and brave, very funny with her quick and very unique wit, fun to be around way, and she always made everyone feel special. Those qualities coupled with a genuine sweetness stayed with her throughout her life and into her final hours. She will be greatly missed by her husband, her family and her friends. A memorial service is being planned for a later date.