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Jennifer A. DePuydt-Saari, 50, a resident of Hancock passed away Thursday February 27, 2025, at the Omega House in Houghton following a lengthy illness.
Jennifer was born on September 29, 1974, in Marquette, to John and Cheryl (Dorais) DePuydt. She was raised in Houghton and graduated from the Houghton High School with the class of 1992. Jennifer attended Northern Michigan University in Marquette and graduated in 2004 with a degree in Elementary Education with Emotional Impairment endorsement.
Jen taught Special Education and Computers for seven years with Trillium Academy, Calumet Middle School and Barkell Elementary School. She was also employed as the Apparel Department Manager for Dunham’s Sports and was the Executive Director for the Life Outreach Center where she also served as a board member.
Jen had many passions in her life. She helped coach Little League and Legion Baseball, was a Girl Scout Leader and Co-Leader, and was a figure skating coach and board member from 1990-2013. She enjoyed teaching children, collecting music boxes, angels, dragonflies and books. She also enjoyed a walk through the woods, especially when the leaves were on the ground in the fall. She loved to spend time with her family and friends and always trying to help others in need. She was a member of St. Peter and Paul Lutheran Church in Houghton where she was active in helping with their community garden.
Jennifer spent a lot of time advocating for Gastroparesis, promoting awareness and local and state levels (Fighting for Change). She also worker for the quarterly e-magazine for the Association of Gastroenterology and Mobility Disorders. She helped with fundraisers for Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome (SMAS) Non–Profit. She was an advocate to help save the lives of the unborn as well as helping women and families with unexpected pregnancies.
Preceding Jennifer in death were her mother, Cheryl DePuydt, an infant brother, her maternal grandparents, John and Yvonne Dorais, paternal grandparents, Norbert and Sue DePuydt, aunt and uncle, Drew and Sue DePuydt and several other extended family members.
She is survived by the lights of her life, her children and grandson.
Christopher (Dr. Kayla) Saari of Atlantic Mine
Michael Saari and longtime girlfriend Loretta Anderson of Houghton
Rachel DePuydt and her son Lucciano and Virtuoso of Ripley
Her father and stepmother John (Barb) DePuydt of Chassell.
Her brothers: Paul (Annie) DePuydt and their children Maximus and Victoria of Colorado
Matthew (Angela) DePuydt and their son Christian of Wisconsin
Her stepsister Janelle (Caleb) Warren and their daughters, Ruby and Louisa of Washington
Her stepbrother Brandon (Brooke) Roth and their daughter Isla of Idaho
Several aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, SSPP Church family, Elevation Church EFam WIP Ladies, adoptive mom and special friend LouAnn Vitton, best friends Nicole (Jay) Killoran and their daughter Emalyn, and very special life-long friend Thomas Heikkinen.
The family would like to thank Robin Meneguzzo, Dr. Kerstin Austin of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Aspirus Home Health and Hospice, (especially Bev Luoma, Rebecca Nordmark, Lindy Vencato, Corrina Greenwood, and Scott Wagner), the Marquette Home Infusion crew for all of their care over the past few years and all of the wonderful staff at the Omega House in Houghton.
A memorial service for Jennifer will be held at 1pm, Thursday, March 6, 2025, at SS Peter and Paul Lutheran Church in Houghton with Pastor Aaron Gehrke to officiate. Burial will be held at a later time in the Holy Cross Cemetery in Marquette.
Friends may call on Thursday, March 6th, from 12 pm until the time of services at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to The Life Outreach Center in Hancock, the Cheryl DePuydt Memorial Fund at MTU, SS Peter & Paul Lutheran Church in Houghton, or any of the non-profits listed at www.curegp.org, smasyndrome.org, or agmdhope.org.
To view this obituary or to send condolences online to the family, please visit www.memorialchapel.net.
The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service – Hancock Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements.
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