Elizabeth Ann Eichstaedt, loving wife, mother, and grandmother, age 100, of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, died on January 14, 2024, at McKinley Manor. She was born in Munising, MI on January 3, 1924, to Leslie and Alice Kellan.
Elizabeth grew up in Forest Lake, Michigan and attended high school in Munising and Appleton, Wisconsin. She and her siblings enjoyed living in the rural UP and had many stories about their life there and attending the “Little and Big schools” in Forest Lake. She did well in school and was selected to skip 3rd grade. Her family moved to Sault Ste. Marie in 1940 and she graduated from Sault High in 1941. She and two of her sisters were telephone operators and worked in the downtown office of the Michigan Bell Telephone Company. During WWII, Elizabeth also worked as an operator in Evanston, IL.
She married Paul in 1947 and shortly after, left her job to remain at home and raise her family. Elizabeth also became a member of Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in 1947, and was a member of the Dorcas Society. They purchased waterfront property on Sugar Island in 1953 and built a cabin shortly after electricity came to the island. Elizabeth loved being at the cabin and enjoyed many years boating, swimming, fishing, campfires, and picking raspberries. The cabin also hosted many fun times with family and friends boating and enjoying the water. Winter activities included Tuesday afternoon bowling league and many weekends snowmobiling with friends. One special winter memory was hosting Paul’s brother Herb and his family for Thanksgiving at the cabin in the early 60s.
In 1982 they moved into their new home on Riverside Drive and sold the cabin. Their boat was now on a lift right outside the front door! Elizabeth and Paul enjoyed many boat rides and fires along with watching the freighter traffic glide past the living room windows. Elizabeth cherished many happy times hosting her grandchildren on the river. The times at “Camp Poppy” are among the family’s most happy memories.
Elizabeth is survived by her sisters Nancy Somes of Traverse City and Helen O’Brien of Sault Ste. Marie; sisters in law Jane Kellan of Sault St Marie, and Sylvia Kellan of Oscoda; son Bill (Vicki) of Kalamazoo, daughters Joann Bartunek of the Sault, and Julie Poynter of Mattawan; grandsons Jay (Katie) Eichstaedt of Portage, Bill (Amber) Eichstaedt of Kalamazoo, Paul (Lani) Bartunek of Los Angeles, and granddaughter Brooke Poynter of Mattawan; great-grandchildren Brennan and Kellyn Eichstaedt of Portage, and Luna Bartunek of Los Angeles.
Elizabeth was preceded in death by Paul, her husband of 65 years in 2012, brothers Art and Bill Kellan, and sister Leean Socia.
A graveside service will be held later this year. Elizabeth will rest with her husband Paul, at Pine Grove Cemetery.
The family would like to thank the staff of McKinley Manor and EUP Home Health and Hospice for their compassionate care. Those that wish, may make donations to EUP Home Health and Hospice in honor of Elizabeth.
Family Life Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be left to the family at www.galerfuneralhomes.com
