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Chassell: Marie Adel Ecke, 89, a former longtime resident of Chassell, currently residing at the Lake View Manor Annex in Hancock, passed away on Monday evening, July 24, 2017 at the Marshfield Medical Center in Marshfield, Wisconsin following a short illness.
She was born on May 22, 1928 in Atlantic Mine, daughter of the late Karl and Fanny (Isaacson) Forsman. After attending the John A. Doelle School in Tapiola, she later graduated from Hancock High School.
Marie went to work at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago, IL, was a commercial teller at Sault Savings Bank in Sault Ste. Marie, MI, was secretary for Investors, Inc. of Houghton, and was a librarian for Southwell Elementary Schools and Chassell High School. She later retired from Houghton National Bank as a teller and customer service representative after more than 20 years of service.
Marie married Edgar J. Ecke on October 17, 1959. He preceded her in death on July 12, 1962.
Because of her love of music, as a young girl, Marie played the accordion for the intermissions of plays in Tapiola, and continued to play the accordion throughout her life. Marie sold Avon products, and was an avid bowler, winning trophies for her bowling averages. She sang in the Chassell Community Choir and the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Choir. She volunteered in the church office, editing and printing the church bulletin. She was also an avid card player, enjoyed Scrabble, her cats, needlepoint, and crossword puzzles.
Marie was confirmed on June 28th, 1942 at the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church in Elo, Michigan and was a current member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church of Chassell. She served as the National Bowling League treasurer in 1962 and 1963.
Besides her parents and husband, she was also preceded in death by sisters, Sylvia Rowe and Elvia Haapala, and a niece, Carolyn (Haapala) Strenzel.
She is survived by her daughter, Barbara L. “Lee” Ecke, nieces Marcia (Rowe) Zbib and Elsie “Dusty” Coleman; nephew, Fred Haapala; God-daughter/niece, Susan (Strenzel) Hummel; great-nephews David Strenzel and Col. Todd Petersen; great-nieces Jill Strenzel, Joy Strenzel, Shelly (Colman) Beard and Sara (Strenzel) Kazan; and by other great-great nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Tuesday, August 1, 2017 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church of Chassell, Pastor Joe Iverson will officiate. Burial will be in the Chassell Cemetery after a luncheon at the church following the funeral.
Friends may call at the O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home in Hancock on Monday from 4 until 7 P.M. and for an hour before the funeral at the church on Tuesday.
Memorials in lieu of flowers may be directed to a music fund at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church of Chassell, Michigan.
The O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home of Hancock is in charge of the funeral arrangements. To leave online condolences, please go to www.oneilldennisfh.com.
