1939
Phyllis
2012
Phyllis Jean Makinen
February 4, 1939 — November 1, 2012
Munising
Phyllis Jean Makinen, age 73, of 200 W. City Park Drive, Munising, died unexpectedly at her home on Thursday, November 1, 2012 following a lengthy illness. She was born on February 4, 1939 in Munising to the late Jack and Orvilla (Morin) Vardon and graduated from Wm. G. Mather High School. Phyllis married Floyd O. Makinen on March 16, 1957 and they raised their four children. They were past members of the Moose Lodge and when the kids were young, Phyllis and Floyd spent their summers with their children camping, picnicking, berry picking, and mushroom hunting. They were married over fifty-five years when Floyd preceded her in death on April 2, 2012. Phyllis worked at Munising Memorial Hospital for many years. She started as a nurse's aide and worked through many different departments, and Phyllis retired in 1998 as the DRG coordinator. She was a member of Sacred Heart Church and was a former member of the church's choir. She loved painting and gardening. Phyllis was a member of the Yard and Garden Club and she had amazing flower gardens. She was an excellent cook and baker. Her sugar cookies were famous and she baked and decorated many beautiful wedding cakes for family and friends. Phyllis was also an excellent seamstress. On Christmas, her nieces anxiously awaited their flannel nightgowns that they knew she had lovingly sewn.
She is survived by her four children - Allen (Sheila) Makinen of Munising, Steven (Ruth Perry) Makinen of Forest Lake, Kathy (Brad) Kolbus of Munising, and John Makinen of Munising; grandchildren - Sarah and Kenny McCoy and Shalee and Ilyssa Makinen; step-grandchildren - Shannon and T.J. (Amy) Lassila and Samantha Kolbus; great-grandchildren - Gianna, Savannah Rose, Jersey May, and Jalen; brother - Arthur "Sonny" (Bev) Vardon of Munising; sisters - Beverly (Gary) Doucette of St. Clair Shores, MI and Jackie (Mark) Whitmarsh of Chatham; and numerous nieces and nephews. Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, husband Floyd, and sister Nancy Vardon.
Visitation will be held at the Bowerman Funeral Home on Monday, November 5, 2012 from 11:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Father Chris Gardiner will celebrate her funeral Mass at 1:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church in Munising. Interment will be at Maple Grove Cemetery at a later date.
Phyllis Jean Makinen, age 73, of 200 W. City Park Drive, Munising, died unexpectedly at her home on Thursday, November 1, 2012 following a lengthy illness. She was born on February 4, 1939 in Munising to the late Jack and Orvilla (Morin) Vardon and graduated from Wm. G. Mather High School. Phyllis married Floyd O. Makinen on March 16, 1957 and they raised their four children. They were past members of the Moose Lodge and when the kids were young, Phyllis and Floyd spent their summers with their children camping, picnicking, berry picking, and mushroom hunting. They were married over fifty-five years when Floyd preceded her in death on April 2, 2012. Phyllis worked at Munising Memorial Hospital for many years. She started as a nurse's aide and worked through many different departments, and Phyllis retired in 1998 as the DRG coordinator. She was a member of Sacred Heart Church and was a former member of the church's choir. She loved painting and gardening. Phyllis was a member of the Yard and Garden Club and she had amazing flower gardens. She was an excellent cook and baker. Her sugar cookies were famous and she baked and decorated many beautiful wedding cakes for family and friends. Phyllis was also an excellent seamstress. On Christmas, her nieces anxiously awaited their flannel nightgowns that they knew she had lovingly sewn.
She is survived by her four children - Allen (Sheila) Makinen of Munising, Steven (Ruth Perry) Makinen of Forest Lake, Kathy (Brad) Kolbus of Munising, and John Makinen of Munising; grandchildren - Sarah and Kenny McCoy and Shalee and Ilyssa Makinen; step-grandchildren - Shannon and T.J. (Amy) Lassila and Samantha Kolbus; great-grandchildren - Gianna, Savannah Rose, Jersey May, and Jalen; brother - Arthur "Sonny" (Bev) Vardon of Munising; sisters - Beverly (Gary) Doucette of St. Clair Shores, MI and Jackie (Mark) Whitmarsh of Chatham; and numerous nieces and nephews. Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, husband Floyd, and sister Nancy Vardon.
Visitation will be held at the Bowerman Funeral Home on Monday, November 5, 2012 from 11:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Father Chris Gardiner will celebrate her funeral Mass at 1:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church in Munising. Interment will be at Maple Grove Cemetery at a later date.
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