Karl Alan Krepps
Karl Alan Krepps, 74, of Curtis, passed away Saturday morning April 3, 2021 at his residence surrounded by his loving family and the care of North Woods Hospice. Karl was predeceased by his father and mother Edward and Jane (Robertson) Krepps and his “summer parents” Harold and Francis Sell, as well as his “summer brother” Larry Sell. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife Casey “Karen” of 48 years. They were married in Hermansville, Michigan on June 24, 1972. “Papa” Karl is lovingly remembered by his children and grandchildren Gina (Brian) and grandsons Noah and Jonah Birnbaum of Saginaw, Michigan, and Andrew (Kathleen) and grandsons Daniel and Adam Krepps of Washington DC; his loving sister Jo (Brian) Hagemeister of Ishpeming; many nieces and nephews and summer sister Nancy Sell of Curtis. Karl was born in Muskegon, Michigan on August 3, 1946. He graduated from North Branch High School in 1964 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Education from Northern Michigan University in 1969. He spent many years as a school photographer for National School Studios and later LifeTouch. He retired to Curtis, from Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Marquette office in 2003. Karl enjoyed living on the South Manistique Lake and took full advantage of the summer every year. He was a master on the grill and loved preparing ribs and steak for his visiting family members after a “hard day of play.” A born teacher and avid golfer, he particularly enjoyed his weekly golf rounds with friends and summertime rounds with his grandsons, Noah and Jonah. A golf cart at home provided countless hours of fun and driving instruction to his grandsons, with “Papa” teaching Adam to drive even as a toddler. Both he and Casey enjoyed spending the UP “mud season” traveling out west and staying in Arizona. An avid sports fan, he especially enjoyed watching the Michigan State Spartans and attending MSU basketball games with Andrew and Daniel. A celebration of life will be held this summer at a time and place to be announced. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Ed Krepps Memorial Scholarship through Manistique Lakes Lions Club, P.O. Box 373 Curtis, MI 49820, Three Lakes Academy, P.O. Box 159 Curtis, MI 49820 or North Woods Home Health and Hospice Foundation, P.O. Box 307 Manistique, MI 49854. Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Margaret C. (nee Linck) Beaudoin
Longtime Naubinway resident, Margaret C. (nee Linck) Beaudoin, 87, died Thursday evening April 1, 2021 at her residence in the care of her loving family and Schoolcraft Memorial Hospice. Born March 21, 1934 in Newton Township, daughter of the late Lawrence D. and Cecelia H. (Belleville) Linck, Margie was a 1952 graduate of Engadine High School. On June 20, 1953, Margaret married Robert Beaudoin at St. Stephens Catholic Church in Naubinway. Margie was briefly employed with Bell Telephone and later owned and operated with her husband Beaudoin’s Cafe for several years. Margaret was a devoted homemaker raising her family and enjoyed spending time and attending sporting events of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Margie was a longtime member of St. Stephens Catholic Church, St. Stephens Altar Society and the National Catholic Society of Foresters. Margaret enjoyed bird watching and identification, gardening, puzzles, reading, playing any type of games with her family, listening to music and an avid Michigan State University basketball fan. In addition to her parents, Margie is preceded in death by her siblings Herbert “Herbie” Linck, Marie St. Andre, Theresa Rademacher and Lawrence Linck. Survivors include her loving husband Robert of Naubinway; children Gene (Jane) Beaudoin of Naubinway, Kathleen (Richard) Ocko of Engadine, Annette (Terry) Gustafson of Marquette and Suzanne (Daniel) Beaudoin-Reinke of Midland; grandchildren Tammy (Steve) Trammel, Robert Beaudoin, Michael Beaudoin, Michele (Rod) Bigelow, Lisa (William IV) Mastenbrook, Andrew (Mary) Ocko, Christine (Gregory) Bawol, Matthew (Zurich Dawson) Ocko, Amanda Gustafson, Jacob (Megan) Gustafson, Kristi Chesney and Brian (Dawn) Reinke; 22 great-grandchildren. A gathering of family and friends will take place Friday April 9, 2021 from 11:00 am 1:00 pm at St. Stephens Catholic Church in Naubinway. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 pm at the church with Fr. Marty Flynn officiating. Rite of Committal will take place at the Naubinway Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to St. Stephens Mission in her loving memory. Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Donald Belcher
Lifelong Newberry resident, Donald Belcher, 68, died Thursday morning April 1, 2021 at his residence. Born March 26, 1953 in Newberry, son of the late Howard and Retha (Baber) Belcher, Don was a 1973 graduate of Newberry High School. During his lifetime, Don held various employments including Kimberly-Clark, the former Luce County Annex and at Newberry Wood Products until his retirement. Don was a member of the former F.O.E. Aerie #3701 and the American Legion Post #74 both of Newberry. Don’s hobbies included hunting, fishing, seek word puzzles, gardening (especially tomatoes) and spending time with his family. In addition to his parents, Don is preceded in death by his siblings Bethel Whalen, Bonnie Sackett, Midge Mogg and Lawrence “Andy” Belcher. Survivors include his daughters Amy (Keith) Blakely and Angie (Keith) McNamara all of Newberry; grandchildren Dylan and Tyler Blakely, Keith and Breanna McNamara; siblings Dolly Fox of Marquette, Joanne Block of Anderson, CA and Shirley Dunkeld of Mt. Pleasant; brothers Albert “Butch” Belcher of Livonia, Gerald “Jerry” (Debbie) Belcher of Romulus, Ronald (Darlene) Belcher of Brighton and Charles (Cathy) Belcher of Brighton; several nieces and nephews. Per request, cremation services were accorded. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, public services will be held at a later date. Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Harriet (Hart) Furlong Plumstead
Harriet (Hart) Furlong Plumstead, of St. Ignace, Michigan, passed peacefully in her home in the early hours of March 19, 2021 surrounded by family. Hart, as family and many friends called her, was born March 11, 1930, in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan to Francis Patrick and Margaret (Jordan) Furlong. Her father moved his young family from Trout Lake to Marquette, and eventually to Newberry, Michigan, where he worked for the Michigan Conservation Department during the Depression and beyond. Hart loved to share stories of her childhood growing up in the UP such as collecting metal for the war effort, seeing Tahquamenon Falls frozen over in winter, and moving to Drummond Island to wait out the polio epidemic. She was especially close to her five sisters and her brother, and she cherished lifelong friendships with each of them. Harriet attended Siena Heights College, in Adrian, Michigan, where she met the love of her life Donald Plumstead. They married on June 14, 1952, and settled, first, on Chicago’s South Side and, in 1960, in Oak Park, Illinois. Don worked as a graphic artist and Harriet raised their five young children. In 1966, they moved to Fremont, Michigan, where they on the west shore of Fremont Lake for nearly 25 years. At the age of 50, Hart returned to college to earn her Master of Education degree. After graduating, she dedicated her time and efforts to the education and character development of countless students as a Home Economics teacher at Fremont Middle School. In 1990, Don and Hart retired to St. Ignace, Michigan where they built a house on the Straits of Mackinac. Hart spent many hours substitute teaching and volunteering at local museums. She served for 18 years on the St. Ignace Library Board and helped efforts to build a new library for the community. She was a voracious reader over her lifetime and instilled a lifelong curiosity and love of learning in her children and grandchildren. She was a creative, adventurous cook and an avid gardener. She was reflective, wise, and outspoken woman with a “Hart” of gold who wanted the best for everyone. A wonderful mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, she will be greatly missed. Harriet is survived by her children: Margaret Plumstead Bloemers of Grand Rapids, George Plumstead of Kalamazoo, Anthony (Joyce Franklin) Plumstead of Fremont, John (Janet Lukas) Plumstead of St. Ignace, and Marianna Plumstead of Grand Rapids; her grandchildren: Jacob (Sara Nota) and Nathan Bloemers, Michelle and Daniel (Ashlee Denise) Plumstead, Meredith VandeHaar, Fiona and Jordan Plumstead; one great-grandchild: Leona Grace Bloemers; her youngest sister: Angela (Paul) Murphy of Lewiston, ME; and many nieces and nephews including Mary Margaret Rahilly Bender who played an especially important role in the last decade of her life. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband Donald Plumstead; infant children: Mary Clare, Thomas, Barbara, Matthew and Michael; her parents; her siblings: Donald and Margaret Dechant, Robert and Marianne Rahilly, Frank and Jane Furlong, and Wally and Barbara Bruce; son-in-law: Ellwyn Bloemers; and grandson: Samuel Bloemers. We plan to hold a celebration of Harriet and Donald’s life together this summer. R. Galer Funeral Home in Pickford, Michigan is serving the family. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.rgalerfuneralhome.com.
