Annemargret Kantorowicz Kenter

Annemargret “Ann” Kenter, 102, of Bloomington, died on April 16, 2016. Ann was born on August 3, 1913 to Alfred and Annemarie (Steinlein) Kantorowicz in Munich, Germany. She grew up in Bonn, one of 4 children: Dorothea “Thea” Kantorowicz Muller, Erich, and George. In 1933, her studies at the University of Freiburg were cut short when she and her family fled Nazi Germany for Istanbul, Turkey. Ann continued her dental studies in Istanbul until her marriage in 1936 to fellow German refugee, Wigand Kenter. Due to the ongoing war and ensuing political changes, Ann, Wigand and their daughter, Ruth, fled to Palestine in 1944 where they remained for the next three years. In 1947, the family immigrated to the United States. They settled in Bloomington in 1949 where Wigand opened a dental practice. The family grew with the birth of Karen and Marian. Sadly, Wigand died in 1960. Stubborn and independent, Ann hated asking for help and insisted on doing everything herself. Among other things, this included her tax returns, financial investments, cleaning her gutters, pruning tree limbs, building a bookcase and desk, or walking her lawn mower to Sears and back when it needed servicing and she couldn’t get it into her car. Ann loved Bloomington and all it had to offer. She took advantage of many of the cultural and recreational opportunities Bloomington and the surrounding area provides including concerts at IU and sponsoring foreign students, many with whom she remained in contact for many years. Ann enjoyed hikes and picnics in the state parks and swimming in the area lakes and pools. Her involvement in the Bloomington community included volunteering at Planned Parenthood and the Bloomington Hospital as well as the Democratic Party. She was also a member of Hadassah and the YMCA. Always ready for an adventure, Ann didn’t let age stop her. At 51, she took up skiing again, taking every opportunity to ski, whether at Nashville Alps or the Swiss Alps. With her two younger daughters, Ann traveled extensively throughout Europe. In her 80s and 90s she hiked in Glacier National Park, canoed under the Pont du Gard aqueduct and climbed a mountain to see a castle ruin, rode a camel in the Sahara Desert, and celebrated her 95th birthday tubing down Sugar Creek at Turkey Run State Park. She remained active taking aerobic classes well into her 90’s. Ann loved entertaining: dinners, cookouts or an afternoon “Kaffeeklatsch”. Holidays were celebrated in a big way and always included German baked goods. Whenever possible, she spent her time outside, tending her flowers and in later years walking in Bryan Park. Spring, summer, and fall she enjoyed sitting on her front patio eating breakfast, drinking her tea, reading the newspaper, and doing the crossword puzzle. Ann loved spending time with her family, particularly her grandchildren. Like most grandparents, she spoiled them and allowed them to do all the things her daughters had not been allowed to do. Although her father was a dentist, as a child she was put to bed each night with a chocolate treat. Ann never lost her love of sweets and always enjoyed her “etwas Nettes”. Apparently sweets, bagels and tea are the key for a long and healthy life. Ann’s courage, patience, selflessness, generosity, resilience, and love will always serve as an example to her family. 102 is a long time but not long enough. She will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved her. She is survived by her daughters and their families: Ruth (Kenter) McNeil, Karen Kenter-Potty (Mike Potty and Aaron), and Marian Kenter-Dwyer (Jim Dwyer, Alex and Helen). In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Bloomington YMCA or Planned Parenthood.