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Jean (Daniel) Kirkish, 78, a resident of Houghton passed away early Sunday morning August 20, 2017, at her home with her family by her side.
She was born on February 5, 1939, in Norway, MI, a daughter of the late Frank and Ethel (Erickson) Bergen. Jean was a graduate of the Norway High School with the class of 1957. She also graduated from Northern Michigan University in 1961.
On August 12, 1961, she was united in marriage to Daniel Kirkish. The couple has resided in Houghton where they raised their children and Jean helped manage the books for the family business, Kirkish Furniture.
Jean was a very active member of St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church of Houghton, where she taught catechism, helped with the Altar Society and sat on the church council. She was a talented gardener who loved to work in her yard. She also enjoyed quilting, making pottery, painting and playing bridge. Jean loved to be a mom, spending time running her children to different events when they were young and now being a grandma and spending time with her grandchildren.
Preceding her in death were her son Greg, her parents, her sister Marie Peters and her brother Frank Jr.
Surviving are:
- Her husband: Daniel Kirkish of Houghton
- Her children: Tami (Jeff) Keller of Houghton; Kimberly (Ken) Guy of Galesville, WI; Christopher (Tricia) Kirkish of Chassell; Sethany (Scott) Leonard of Houghton
- Her grandchildren: Eric, Jessica and Greg Guy, Keegan and Cooper Leonard and Mia Kirkish.
- Her sister: Shirley Pohlson of Norway
- Several nieces, nephews and cousins
A memorial Mass of Christian Burial for Jean will be held 11 am Wednesday August 23, 2017, at St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church of Houghton with Fr. John Martignon to celebrate. Burial will be in the Forest Hill Cemetery of Houghton.
Friends may call on Tuesday August 22, 2017, from 5 to 8 pm at St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church of Houghton, where a parish Prayer Service will be held at 7:30 pm.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, the family suggests that memorials be given to the Omega House in Houghton or Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly in memory of Jean Kirkish.
To view Jean’s obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit www.memorialchapel.net.
The Memorial Chapel & Plowe Funeral Homes have been assisting the family with the arrangements.
