Ishpeming – Alice J. Haapala, age 88, former Diorite Loc. resident passed away on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018 at the Marquette Co. Medical Care Facility in Ishpeming.

Alice was born Feb. 19, 1930 in Republic the daughter of the late James and Josephine (St. Andre) LaBeau.  She grew up in Republic and was a graduate of the Republic High School, Class of 1948.  Alice worked first as a waitress at Auntie's Café, then as a seamstress at the HW Gossard Co. and for many years as a sales clerk at Goldie's Smartware Clothing Store all in Ishpeming.  Alice was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church.  Alice loved to go dancing, along with a visit to the casino. She enjoyed family get togethers, cooking many meals for her extended family members as she did not have any children of her own but treated her nieces and nephews as her children.

Survivors include 2 sisters – Marion Salson of Ishpeming and Marie Olien of Republic along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.  She was preceded in death by her husband William Haapala in 1989, brother Ellsworth "Smokey" LaBeau, sister Lois Beaupied, niece Cindy Lou Latvala and longtime companion Louis Marra on Nov. 20, 2018.

Alice's family will greet relatives and friends from 11:00am – 12:00 on Thursday, December 27, 2018 at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ishpeming, where a Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 12:00 PM on Thursday with Fr. Ryan Ford to officiate. A luncheon will follow in the church hall.  Interment will take place in the spring at the Republic Cemetery.

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