Keweenaw Report Your Source for Local News and Sports
As received from the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home:
Calumet
Gary O. Kamppinen, 65, a resident of Calumet passed away unexpectedly on March 19, 2020 at U.P. Health System Marquette. He was born on December 11, 1954 in Bruce Crossing, the son of the late Oscar and Martha (Ranta) Kamppinen.
Gary graduated from Trout Creek High School in 1973. He was employed at Smurfit Stone Paper Mill in Ontonagon for 30 years. He then worked at the EconoFood deli until retiring.
On January 1, 2011 he was united in marriage to Brenda Limback Lahti.
Preceding him in death were his parents and sister Arlene (John) Kaare.
Gary enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, he was a very dedicated and loving father and grandfather. He loved summers at his family home in Bruce Crossing, hunting, Bete Grise, (which he referred to as “bay de Gary), and the Green Bay Packers, Gary loved his time with his wife, Brenda and their little dog Bubba and cat Tabby.
Gary and his cousin Alvin Hiitola were life-long friends, sharing many hunting and Green Bay Packers victories and defeats.
Gary was a kind, quiet, and meticulous man and he will be greatly missed by everybody who had a chance to know and love him.
Surviving are his wife Brenda
Son: Tim (Amanda) Kamppinen of Grand Rapids, MI
Stepchildren: Ben (Kirsten) Lahti and Mandi Flowers of Calumet.
Grandchildren: Draven, Marley, Audrey, Sylvia, Oliver, and Mabel.
Special Cousins: Alvin Hiitola, Gloria (Cliff) Peltolaand Ed (Sandy) Avedisian. Nephews Billy (Rae) & Jay (Carolyn) Kaare, and many other cousins.
Due to the “Stay Home, Stay safe” order in Michigan, services will be postponed till a later date.
The Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Online condolences can be left for the family at www.ericksoncrowleypeterson.com
