Marie Kippola

Marie Louise Kippola passed away peacefully on Monday, June 12, 2017 at The Meadows in Owosso, MI.  Marie was blessed with good health through her ninetieth year, when she was hospitalized several times with heart failure, the cause of her death.

Marie Cowling was born to Charles and Rita Cowling in Ishpeming, MI, on August 10, 1926, and graduated from Ishpeming High School with the class of 1944.  She attended Northern Michigan College for one year to study business.  She was proud of her Upper Peninsula roots and often spoke of her childhood experiences there.  She loved pasties, Trenary Toast and Congress pizza.  As a teen, she worked at E.A. Johnson's Grocery store, Tonella and Rupp Furniture (outselling the men) and even spent some time working as a secretary for The Honorable John Voelker, the author of the book and movie, Anatomy of a Murder.  The Piggly Wiggly grocery store was where she met her husband, George Kippola, while waiting for friends to get off work.  They were wed on June, 29, 1946, and remained happily married until George's death in 2003.

In November, 1959, along with their two daughters, the couple moved

downstate to Plymouth when George was hired by Burroughs Adding Machine Company.  He then spent twenty-three years as an electrician for Ford Motor Company before retirement.

Marie took great pride in being a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and housewife, looking forward to family visits.  She also worked hand-in-hand with George when he undertook home improvement projects, of which there were many.  Together they built two homes, one in Ishpeming, the other in Plymouth, and a cottage on Lake Arfelin, where they enjoyed spending time with family and friends.  When first married, their only mode of transportation was a motor scooter, and when building their first house, George dug the basement by hand with a shovel, along with help from Marie's father.  From these humble beginnings, they accomplished much to enjoy comfortable lives.

Surviving are her daughters: Georgann (Kurt) Coon of Bannister, MI, and Barbara (Mark) Lukasik of Columbia TN; four grandchildren: Melissa Seybert (fiance Mark Galecka), James (Vickie) Coon, Mark (Amanda) Lukasik Jr., and Jonathan Lukasik (Lauren White); five great-grandchildren: Abigail and Emily Seybert, Olyvia Coon, Collin and Mallory Lukasik; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband of fifty-six years, George, stillborn daughter Marilyn, her brother Thomas Cowling and his wife, Elizabeth.

In accordance to Marie's wishes, there will be no funeral.  The family will gather at her gravesite in Riverside Cemetery, Plymouth, MI, where she will be laid to rest beside George.  The family will then celebrate her life at a dinner following interment.

Online condolences may be sent at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com  The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie MI.