Steffanie S. Anderson

Steffanie Anderson was a beautiful person through and through. She had genuine compassion for people and her easy-going personality made nearly everyone feel like they had known her for years. Her family meant the world to her. Gone too soon, Steffanie leaves behind a wonderful legacy of living life to the fullest and never taking life too seriously. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Steffanie’s life begins during a time in our nation’s history known for the launch of the space shuttle program, the introduction of digital watches, and the first hand-held scientific calculator. The Volkswagen Beetle became the most popular car ever sold and Atari kicked off the first generation of video games with the release of PONG. While most Americans were focused on the results of the Watergate scandal, Ronald and Linda Spannagel welcomed home their newborn daughter, Steffanie on November 27, 1972, in Saginaw, Michigan. Her birth brought much happiness into the family home. Growing up in the small town of St. Charles, Steffanie lived a typical childhood of the times. She fell in love with drawing and painting at a young age and could keep herself entertained for hours. She and her dad developed a love of racing trucks together and listening to the radio on Friday nights while her mother was at work. They enjoyed doing many things as a family and were avid fans of Detroit Tigers baseball and Lions football. During her elementary school years, her best friend, Amee, invited her to come to her church youth group. From that moment, her interest was sparked and soon after, Steffanie became a Christian. As a result, her adolescent years were filled with many church activities including Awana. Steffanie resonated with her favorite scripture Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose”. She leaned on these sacred words throughout her life. As a Bulldog at St. Charles High School, she enjoyed playing softball, was a member of the National Honor Society as well as the Ecology Club. Steffanie graduated with the Class of 1990 and enrolled at Central Michigan University to pursue a Bachelor's degree. Her years of listening to the radio with her dad led her to major in broadcasting and minor in marketing. She dreamed of writing radio advertisements later in life. Steffanie met the man of her dreams, Karl Anderson while the two of them were working at Cedar Point Amusement Park in Ohio during the summer of 1992. Sharing many commonalities including their love of baseball and Star Trek, they committed their lives together in a marriage ceremony on June 15, 1996, at the First Baptist Church in Mount Pleasant. As a young couple, they enjoyed taking in baseball games together as well as visiting relatives as often as possible. They also welcomed home several dogs over the years and loved them like children. She and Karl were inseparable. Happy and in love, they enjoyed sharing many special moments together. Steffanie held a wide range of many special interests over the years. She credits her dad for her love of country music as he got her hooked at a young age. She enjoyed being a member of various country music fan clubs and even had a chance to have special access to artists during meet and greets before or after concerts over the years. In addition to her love of Star Trek and Sci-Fi, she was also into sword and scandal fantasies such as Braveheart, Gladiator, Lord of the Rings, and Game of Thrones. In fact, one whole room of their house was set aside for her collection of Lord of the Rings memorabilia! A voracious reader, she had a vast collection of Stephen King novels and knew many of them by heart. Always fascinated with the story of the Native Americans, Steffanie also had many beautiful pieces of artwork and enjoyed collecting Breyer horse figurines over the years. Described as caring, compassionate, and selfless, Steffanie was a blessing to her family and friends. "She always thought of others first". Even during her challenges facing cancer, she never let her illness get her down. She wanted nothing more than to share more time with her family and experience all the world had to offer. Steffanie never took a single day for granted. Sadly, she is gone and only her memories remain. May her loved ones always feel her warm presence whenever they are gathered together. Whether it is sharing a special moment or watching the Tigers or Lions, may they always know that she is right there with them cheering them on! Steffanie Spannagel Anderson, of Portage, Michigan, formerly of St. Charles passed away on Tuesday, July 20, 2021, at the age of 48. She is survived by her husband, Karl; parents, Ronald and Linda Spannagel, of St. Charles. She is also survived by her sister, Tricia (Christopher) Lewis, of Freeland; father and mother-in-law: John and Julie Anderson, of OK; and one special nephew, Logan Lewis. She was preceded in death by one brother-in-law: Eric “E.J” Anderson. The family will have a visitation on Thursday, July 22, 2021, from 4 to 7 pm and one hour prior to the service on Friday at the Avink Funeral Home & Cremation Society, 5975 Lovers Lane, Portage, MI. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Friday, July 23, 2021, at 1 pm at the funeral home. Following the service, Steffanie will be cremated and her ashes will be buried at a later date at Portage South Cemetery. While at www.avinkcremation.com please take time to sign Steffanie’s guestbook, and/or share a memory with the family. The Anderson family is being cared for by the Avink Funeral Home & Cremation Society, 5975 Lovers Lane, Portage, MI 49002 (269) 344-5600.