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As received from the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home:
Gordon R. Kauppila, 94, passed away peacefully on Sunday October 31, 2021. He was a resident of GardenView in Calumet for the past year.
He was born on May 8, 1927 (Mother’s Day) at home in Copper City to the late Waino and Anna (Waara) Kauppila.
Gordon graduated from Calumet High School in 1945 and enlisted in the US Navy serving his country during WW II aboard the Naval Ship, the U.S.S. Repose.
He attended Suomi College, Michigan Technological University, Northern Michigan University, and Wayne State University where he earned his master’s degree in education.
On September 8, 1956 Gordon married Adeline E. Hendrickson. They celebrated 53 years together before her passing in 2009.
He taught at Ewen-Trout Creek School and then at the Redford Union School before moving his family to Calumet to teach in the Calumet Public School District until he retired in 1986. Gordon and Adeline then moved to Sonoma, California to manage the Finnish American Home Association for four years before returning to Michigan.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Adeline. Parents Waino and Anna Kauppila, brothers: Paul (Bertha), Walter (Marie), Melvin, Vaino (Ted), Kenneth and Donald, his sisters: Kathleen, Mildred (Jack) and Florence (Arvo), brothers-in-law: Gordon Usitalo and George Tarnowski.
Gordon is survived by his children: Greta, Wayne, Yvonne (Steve), Stuart (Nancy), Glenn (Lisa), and Rhea. His grandchildren and great grandchildren.
His sisters: Phyllis Tarnowski and Carol Usitalo, sister-in-laws: Barbara Kauppila, Ardene Kauppila, and Agnes Black, Brother-in-law: Paul Mayhak (Norma)
Along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A visitation will be held at the Siskiwit Reception Hall 26070 Pine Street Calumet on Friday November 5, 2021 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
The family requests that those who want to attend the visitation to please wear a mask.
Service and burial will take place at the Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan
Online condolences for the family may be left at www.ericksoncrowleypeterson.com
The Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home in Calumet is assisting the family with the arrangements.
