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As received from the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home:
UPDATE: A graveside service will be held on Thursday May 16, 2024, at 12:00 pm in the Calvary Cemetery located in Ahmeek, Michigan.
UPDATE: A Christian Mass of Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on April 13, 2024, at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ahmeek.
Visitation will be held on Friday, April 12, 2024, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home.
In loving memory of Barbara Gariepy, 85, a cherished resident of Portage Pointe Nursing Home, who gained her wings to heaven on March 27, 2024. Barb’s impact on this world cannot be measured in personal accomplishments but in her lasting kindness and impact on those around her.
Barbara was born on July 14, 1938 in Laurium and raised in Lake Linden by her parents, Catherine and Jerome Dion. She graduated from Lake Linden Hubbell High School in 1956. Shortly after graduating, she pursued a profession as a Catholic Nun and obtained her teaching degree from Marymount College in Salina, KS. She dedicated herself to teaching in elementary schools across Kansas, Chicago, and Michigan. Most of her career was spent teaching in the local schools of Hancock, Copper City, and the Calumet-Laurium-Keweenaw School District. In 2000, Barb retired after 37 years of teaching.
Barbara lived most of her life as a resident of Mohawk, where she was a lifelong devotee to her Catholic faith and spent countless hours donating her time to Our Lady of Peace Church in Ahmeek. As a eucharistic minister, she routinely sought out delivering communion to the sick and elderly to spread her faith. Undoubtedly, her favorite hobby was knitting scarves, blankets, and baby dresses for her friends, family, and grandchildren.
Her life’s passion was the dedication to her family. She truly blossomed as a grandmother, earning the nickname “Oma Grandma” from her two loving grandchildren, Caelan and Lilliah. Even though they were always separated by vast distances, her eyes would sparkle every time she received a call or photo from her two cutie pies.
Barbara is survived by her son Lieutenant Colonel Emmet Gariepy, daughter-in-law Kathrin, and grandchildren Caelan and Lilliah of Leawood, Kansas; sisters Claudette Vairo, Laurium, Michigan; Diane Farley (Harry), Ishpeming, Michigan; Sharon Provost, Gladwin, Michigan; brothers Robert Dion, Hubbell, Michigan; and Jerry Dion (Karen), Lake Linden, Michigan. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and friends who genuinely miss her. She is preceded in death by, William “Butch” Gariepy, and parents, Jerome and Catherine Dion.
A Christian Mass of Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on April 13, 2024, at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ahmeek. Visitation will be held on Friday, April 12, 2024, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home.
Barbara’s memory will forever live on in the hearts of those she touched. She will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who knew her. Her family would like to thank the staff and nurses at Portage Pointe Medora House and beloved caretaker Katie Pyykkonen for their care and support over the last few years.
