Mary Ann Ihas
Columbiana

Mary Ann Ihas, 91, of Columbiana and Birmingham, died Saturday, Oct. 10, four days after her birthday, in her daughter’s home as she wished, surrounded by her children and grandchildren.

Mary Ann was born Oct. 7, 1924, in Delphos, Ohio, the first of six children of Hermena and Leland Lentz. She grew up in Hillsdale, Mich., where she attended school, met and married her beloved husband of 58 years, Eugene Charles Ihas, who preceded her in death in 1999.

Mary Ann will be remembered fondly for her sharp mind and memory, determination, suffer-no-fools-attitude, irreverent sense of humor, and unswerving dedication to family. As a young mother of two small children, unable to pursue her own educational goals, she reared as her own two younger siblings, making sure they finished high school. She worked nights for Boeing in Battle Creek, Mich., overseeing blueprints. Later, she was a bookkeeper in Birmingham, Mich., and Summit, N.J. A voracious reader, Mary Ann was an accomplished vegetable gardener and an award winning Avon sales representative. She volunteered as coordinator of her church’s Bingo night for seniors. Late in life, she became a passionate, if occasional and very controlled, casino gambler.

Mary Ann is survived by her children, Sandra Ann Coder of Sterrett, and Gary Gene Ihas (Joann) of Gainesville, Fla.; grandchildren, Robert Hillier (Mary Kay) of Columbiana, Alexis Posey of Gainesville, Fla., Holly Hillier Peveler of Cincinnati, Ohio, Todd Coder (Mary Susan) of Birmingham, Benjamin Ihas (Kala) of Boulder, Colo., and Matthew Coder of Hoover; siblings, Bonnie Snow of Mt. Dora, Fla., Robert and Keith (Margaret) Lentz of Middleburg, Fla., and Martha (Pete) Landis of Osseo, MI; and six great-grandchildren.

Preceding her in death were her brother, Leland (Bud) Lentz, and grandson, Nicholas Posey.

The family will celebrate Mary Ann’s life privately. Her ashes will be scattered with those of her beloved husband, Gene, in Hillsdale, Mich., on the site of their first date. She will be dearly missed.

The family thanks every person who helped Mary Ann die with dignity.

Memorial contributions may be sent to New Beacon Hospice, 122 7^th Ave NE, Alabaster, AL 35007.