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December 24, 2000

Obituaries

TRAVERSE CITY - Norman E. Koski, 69, died Saturday at his home. He was born on September 22, 1931, in Ontonagon.
      Norman is survived by his wife, Claire Lynn (Crandell); children and families of Charles N. of Atlanta; Michael D. of Brighton; Kevin B. of Grand Blanc; Denise R. of Salem, Wis.; six grandchildren, one great-grandchild, one brother, Marvin, and two sisters, Darla Segarra and Judy Lovely.
      He is preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Impi Koski of Superior. Wis.; his first wife and the mother of his children, Audrey Anne (Boutan) of Hurley, Wis.
      Cremation has taken place. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, Dec. 27, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home of Traverse City for a Celebration of Norman's life.
      In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Munson Hospice.
      EAST JORDAN - Robert Wabanimkee Noodin EzhimiPot (He who comes with the wind) Bellows, 49, of East Jordan, died of accidental injuries on Wednesday.
      He was born on June 30, 1951, in Frankfort, the son of James R. and Dorothy L. (Lewis) Bellows. On January 16, 1988, he married Theresa Prymuszewski, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Silver Spring, Md.
      He completed 19 years of education, earning his Masters degree in Theology from the Washington Theological Union. Prior to moving to East Jordan this past summer, Bob had been employed as the Director of Religious Education at St. Peters Catholic Church in Olney, Md. He was a member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians and was a member of the Native American Arts and Crafts Association. A very talented artist, Bob made flutes, and enjoyed playing them as he took walks into the woods. He was a spiritual director to his friends and family. He loved walking the beach and watching eagles soar over the Jordan Valley. Bob was currently taking Odawa language classes and will be remembered for helping people become closer to God.
      Survivors include his wife, Theresa Prymuszewski, his cats, Eli and Gato; his mother and step-father, Dorothy and John Gee of Honor; brother, James R. (Judy A.) Bellows of Grand Rapids; sisters, Gloria (Mike) Johnson and Kathy (Tim) Weitz, all of Grand Rapids, and Linda (Tom) Jacobusse of Interlochen; along with many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
      Bob was preceded in death by his father, James, and a brother, Allen.
      The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at noon Wednesday at Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church, Peshawbestown, with The Rev. Fr. Daniel Chowning, OCD, as celebrant. Friends may call at the church from 11 a.m. until the time of service. Interment will be in the church cemetery.
      Memorial contributions may be directed to the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians Elders Fund.
      Arrangements are being made by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home of Traverse City.
      TRAVERSE CITY - Erna L. Anderson, 85, of Traverse City and formerly of Homestead, Iowa, died Thursday, December 21, 2000, at the Grand Traverse Pavilions.
      She was born on July 14, 1915, in Homestead, Iowa, the daughter of August and Mary (Steinmetz) Wiebold. On Oct. 8, 1939, in Homestead, she married Stanley A. Anderson, who preceded her in death.
      Erna was a hospital administrator at Marengo Hospital in Marengo, Iowa, and later was an executive housekeeper at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City.
      Erna was a member of St. Johns Lutheran Church; and also was a member of the National Housekeepers Association and the American Legion Auxiliary.
      She is survived by her daughters, Joan (Mike) Hall of Gig Harbor, Wash., Marcia Anderson of Elk Rapids, and Sara Anderson of Traverse City; and four grandchildren.
      In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers; and two sisters.
      Memorial services will be held in the Spring. Memorial contributions may be directed to Munson Hospice, 1105 Sixth St., Traverse City, MI 49684. The family was served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, Traverse City.
      VANDERBILT - Ruth I. Taylor, 84, of Vanderbilt, died Monday at the Meadowbrook Medical Care Facility in Bellaire.
      Ruth was born on August 6, 1916, in Brown City, the daughter of Archie and Martha (Ware) Dean. On September 24, 1938, she married Wilbur C. Taylor in Brown City, who preceded her in death on July 14, 1958.
      Ruth attended Brown City High School. After marrying Wilbur Taylor in 1938, they lived in Dearborn until they moved to their farm east of Alba in 1943. She moved to the Gaylord area in 1967, then to Vanderbilt in 1974. She was a member of the Vanderbilt Community Church and was a Sunday school teacher for many years. Ruth was a retired State of Michigan employee, having worked at the Alpine Center in Gaylord. She was active for many years in the Otsego County Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). She also enjoyed attending the Elkland Senior Center activities in Vanderbilt.
      Ruth is survived by two daughters, Jeanne M. (Charles) Newberry of Elk Rapids, Wilma M. (Brice) Pederson of Vanderbilt; one son, Charles W. (Sharon) Taylor of Harrison; six grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; one sister, Beatrice Graham of East Jordan; two sisters-in-law, two brothers-in-law, and many nieces and nephews.
      In addition to her husband, Wilbur C. Taylor, she was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, and four brothers.
      Memorial services will be held Saturday, January 6, 2001, at 11 a.m. from the Vanderbilt Community Church.
      Memorials may be given to the Vanderbilt Community Church or to the Meadowbrook Medical Care Facility of Bellaire Arrangements are being handled through the Nelson Funeral Home, 135 Center St., Gaylord, MI 49735.
      GEORGE AGUSTUS GRANGER, SR., 93, of Cheboygan, formerly of Grayling and Big Rapids, died Saturday, Dec. 23, 2000, at Benson House Assisted Living for Adults in Johannesburg. He was born March 5, 1907, in Noxapater, Miss.
      Visitation will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 27, from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service at Sorenson Funeral Home, McEvers Chapel, in Grayling. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 a.m. Burial will take place in Elmwood Cemetery, Grayling.