Obituaries
Catherine Ann Farmer
Catherine Ann Farmer passed on to the arms of God at Munson Hospital in Traverse City, Michigan on May 27, 2021. Cathy lived her life as an energetic, enthusiastic and beloved daughter, sister, aunt, friend, and exceptional health care professional. She was known for her laugh, intelligence, warmth, and welcoming attitude toward everyone she met.
The first child of Joseph Irwin Farmer and Nilah May Farmer, Cathy was born in Dayton Ohio on October 20, 1948. The Farmer family soon grew with the birth of her brothers Robert and William, and together the happy family settled in Birmingham Michigan. Cathy attended Groves High School, where she took great joy in her studies. Cathy loved the frequent family visits with her extended family in Ohio and Illinois. After earning her nursing degree from the Mercy School of Nursing in Detroit, Cathy embarked on a remarkable career as a Registered Nurse. Cathy served with the Visiting Nurses Association in the Detroit area, Sinai Hospital of Detroit, and Pontiac Osteopathic Hospital. The Gerber Alley Company in Georgia recognized her exceptional knowledge, experience and skills in communication and health care, and hired Cathy to serve as a healthcare information systems specialist. Cathy moved to Georgia in 1989. Subsequently Cathy blossomed as a clinical consultant with the McKesson Corporation. Cathy immersed herself in Georgia’s rich arts, music and cultural scene, and relished the warm friendship of her many dear friends.From her childhood and on into adulthood, Cathy and her family enjoyed summers at their cottage on Elk Lake, and Cathy’s laughter could be heard far and wide, resounding from the raft out on the lake, and around flickering bonfires on warm summer nights. Her energy, good nature and infectious humor seemed boundless, matched only by her compassion for others, and her love of children. Over the years, Cathy gathered a colorful bouquet of dear friends that she carried with her throughout her life.With her retirement in 2015, Cathy moved back to Michigan, to Elk Rapids where she cherished the life she lived with her best friend, her mother Nilah. Cathy served as a Sunday school teacher and deacon with the First Presbyterian Church of Elk Rapids. Cathy had a deep Christian faith which percolated unassumingly yet sincerely in her every encounter. A memorial service for both Cathy and her mother Nilah, who died on June 19, 2020, will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 26, 2021 at the First Presbyterian Church of Elk Rapids, Michigan. In lieu of flowers, please make any memorial donations you would like to the First Presbyterian Church of Elk Rapids, Michigan.In the words of Catherine Ann Farmer, “Have a Blessed Day”. Beacon Cremation and Funeral Service, Covell-Elk Rapids Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Funeral ServiceWilliam RenisA funeral mass will take place on Friday, June 18, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, Elk Rapids, with visitation from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the service. There will be a private family ceremony at Sacred Heart Cemetary followed by a reception and celebration of Bill’s and Lee’s life at their son’s home at 8732 Ridge Rd., Rapid City, MI (off Bussa Rd.). In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Antrim County Commission on Aging Meals on Wheels program.
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Larry Frank Hoopfer
Larry Frank Hoopfer was born on Sunday, January 17, 1937 at St. Joseph’s hospital in Pontiac, Michigan.
He passed away April 28, 2021 at the Pavilions in Traverse City, Michigan. Larry and his family (older sister Betty) moved to the family farm in 1940. Larry graduated from Elk Rapids High school with the class of 1955. In his younger days, he served as an altar boy at Sacred Heart Parish in Elk Rapids. Larry’s “real love” was working the farm markets around the area. Larry is survived by his son, Marc; daughter-in law, Heidi; grandson, Brayden of Orlando, Florida. Also left behind to mourn their loss is his brother Bob and wife Judy of the Villages, Florida; sister, Dorothy Nickerson of Traverse City; sister, Mary Boals of Kewadin and brother, Pete of Kingsley. There are also many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death are his parents, Veronica and Frank, along with sisters, Betty Curtis, Barb Redman and brother, Richard. A memorial graveside service is planned for 1 p.m., Saturday, June 19, 2021 at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Kewadin. Please visit www.lifestorytc.com to share your thoughts and more. Sandra Jean Nagy
No, that’s not the sound of a M1 Abrams military tank coming down the road, that’s just Sandy in her dad’s old pick-up truck. Sandy (‘Sam’ to some) didn’t take fashion advice from anyone, in fact, you’d often find her in a cut up sweat-shirt with a bleach stain or two. None of that stuff mattered to her, however, because it was clear that the beauty and magick she created was reflected in her home, family, and the friends that surrounded her.
Sandy and her husband (Jeff Nagy) have hosted “Friday Night at the Nagy’s” for nearly 35 years. A no invitation, “don’t forget your beer”, open-door policy, weekly gathering where family, local vagrants, friends, stray animals, and neighbors could stop by, sit around the kitchen table or campfire and enjoy being in the presence of one another. Maybe a home cooked meal, cherry pie, and a beer or two were offered to lure man and creature alike but really what she cared about was bringing people together. Sandy worked sun up to sun down and gave everything she had to her two children (Cody and Dakota), husband, array of pets, flower garden, and that little stone house on Indian Road that would have never been made a home without her. Sandy’s wishes were for you not to get sappy over her but instead have a big bash to celebrate because she’ll be up “there” preparing the after party for the rest of us. A memorial for Sandra Jean Nagy (August 18th, 1957 - June 1st, 2021) will be held August 14th, 2021. More details on location and time will be available at a later date. Beacon Cremation and Funeral Service, Covell-Elk Rapids Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. |