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As received from the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home:
Elsie was born on 29 Aug. 1940 at the family farm in Laminga Mich. She passed away in her home in Bossier City LA on 2 Nov. 2021 surrounded by her loving children.
Elsie was a devoted and loving Mother to her three children; a loving Grand-Mother to her 5 Grandchildren and devoted Great-Grandmother to her 2 Great-Grandchildren. Elsie loved her family.
She married her sweetheart, William A. Kupari and traveled along his side as a military Air Force wife. She enjoyed sports and played on the women’s softball team at different military bases.
She loved children and had a passion for teaching. She worked as a child care provider at Andrews AFB in Maryland and taught pre-kindergarten and kindergarten in Waldorf MD. She then worked at Ellsworth AFB SD, Osan AB Korea where she also taught English to Korean high school and university students. She returned to Ellsworth AFB where she retired from government service, but Elsie couldn’t stop working and started teaching again at BananaBunch Child Care Center in Rapid City SD. She finally retired after years of dedicated service and she cherished the relationships built between “her” children and their parents.
Elsie had a generous heart and keen intellect. She will always be lovingly remembered for her pleasant demeanor, amazing cooking, creativity and intelligence. Elsie’s family will never forget how she was always there to provide unwavering support to each of her children, and, how she went through each day with a beautiful smile on her face.
Elsie is preceded in death by her Mother, Irene Wakeham, her two sisters, Norma Guzek and Verna Chapin and William A. Kupari.
Her memory will be cherished by her three children:Diana L. Fongemie, her Husband Will; Alan J. Kupari, his Wife GiGi and Terry L. Payne; Elsie’s Brother Edwin Wakeham and his wife Faye as well as extended family and friends.
A celebration of her life will be held Wednesday, November 10th visitation starting at 10 AM followed by the service at 11 AM at the Erickson Crowley and Peterson Funeral Home, 26090 Pine Street, Calumet MI. A reception will follow. The day will end with her burial in Liminga.
Online condolences can be left for the family at Ericksoncrowleyprterson.com
