Michigamme - Marian E. Howe, age 70, of HCR 1 Box 951, Michigamme, passed away on Sunday May 7, 2017 at UP Health System Marquette after suffering an apparent heart attack.

Marian was born August 27, 1946 in Negaunee the daughter of the late Arnold M. and Florence (Davey) Pelto. Marian and her brother and four sisters moved to Michigamme in 1956 into a house half a block away from home of the Wesley Howe family, two boys and one girl.   The two families became entwined for life, childhood playmates, teenage friendships, and later two marriages. Marian made lifelong friends of her schoolmates.  She was known as a sweet natured girl who loved the outdoors and who made the most delicious bakery.  Marian graduated in 1964.

John (Jack) Howe had matured into a handsome soldier stationed in California.  Marian Elizabeth Pelto and John Barry Howe were married at St. Agnes Catholic Church, Michigamme on June 20, l964.  Their attendants were James and Jean Howe, who had married in 1957.  Newlyweds returned to California where Marian was employed as a secretary until Jack's discharge from the Army.

The couple returned to Michigamme and lived with Eleanor and Wesley Howe while Jack built a home next door.   Marian was a devoted caregiver to her in-laws for the remainder of their lives. It was time for Marian to progress to the second most important role of her life, Motherhood. Oldest son John M was born in Dec. 16, 1965 and Richard Alan (Rick) was born Sept. 14, 1968. Their parents raised two outstanding men, loving, respectful, and family oriented.  Marian thoroughly loved her life, but found time to be employed as pasty maker and baker for Netttleton's Café. Marian was a member of St. Agnes Catholic church, later Sacred Heart, and American Legion Auxiliary.

Marian and Jack loved the outdoors.  The twisted back roads of Michigamme Area, the nooks and crannies of Lake Michigamme shoreline, the deep quiet of the long winter days and nights.  They renovated a cabin into a year round spacious home and moved there permanently in 1988.  The deep snow, impassable roads, nighttime wildlife visitors may not be your cup of tea but the John Howe family could not imagine living anywhere else. They celebrated 53 years of marriage.

Sons John M. and Rick married Rachel and Sara who became daughters to Marian, another new phase to her life she thoroughly embraced - other women to share mothering and cooking with. Next came the wonders of grand parenting. The five grandchildren give their individual opinions of the Grandmother:

Sidney: My grandma made Slime (gooey stuff ) with me and Lucy twice, and we made a mess with it but she didn't care.  All she cared about was the giggles and smiles we made together.

Lucy: My grandma would never get off her feet. She would always be making us lunch to bring down to the beach where we swim  We would always tell her that she could rest and we could do it for her but she was always on her feet for us.  My cousin Sydney told her that she would duct tape her to a chair if she didn't sit down.

Emily: My grandma and I would always write letters to each other.  Everytime I would leave, I would give her a note to read as we left.

Zach: My grandma always teased me and made me laugh and she took care of me when I was a baby.  She was kind to me and she made me feel safe.

Wesley: My grandma was the nicest lady I had ever met.  I didn't see her as much as I would have liked to, but when I did see her, she made me laugh and smile, and she gives the best hugs when you need one.

Everyone knew Marian's life priorities:  Jack, John & Rick, grandchildren, daughters-in-law, sisters & brothers, and then the rest of the world.  Her inner core of love and strength served her and everyone else well.  She will be sorely missed.

Survivors include her husband John "Jack" Howe of Michigamme, 2 sons – John (Rachel) Howe of Michigamme, Rick (Sara) Howe of Fond du Lac, WI, 5 grandchildren – Emily, Sydney, Lucy, Wesley and Zachary Howe, 2 brothers – Jim Pelto of Ishpeming and Edward Olson of Michigamme, 3 sisters – Lillian (David) Meiers of New London, WI, Jean Howe of Michigamme and Linda (Jon) Koski of Michigamme, sister in law Betty Howe of Michigamme along with numerous nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents – Arnold and Florence along with her step-father Edward Olson, a sister Louise Morris, brothers-in-law – Myles and Jim Howe and sister-in-law Agnes West.

A private celebration of Marian's life will be held at a later date.

Marian's obituary may also be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.