NEGAUNEE —Madeline J. "Maddy" Kauppila rarely left anything on the table. That went for cards as much as for life.

And on Wednesday October 17, 2018, at the age of 95, the longtime Cooper Lake resident passed away at Negaunee's Teal Lake Senior Living Community. She passed while in the loving care of her niece Teresa Kemp, staff at Teal Lake Senior Living Community and U.P. Home Health and Hospice.

Madeline was born Sept. 26, 1923 in Gwinn's Austin Location to the late Basilio and Theresa Paris. Her family later moved to Negaunee where she graduated Class of 1941 from St. Paul High School.

Maddy's working career began at the H.W. Gossard Company, where she was employed as a seamstress for 16 years. Afterward, Maddy and her husband Rudolph ("Rudy") worked to grow the Sawyer Stoll Company, where she served as secretary for 11 years.  She previously volunteered at the gift shop with Bell Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.

Maddy and Rudy were active outside of work as well: playing horseshoes, golfing as members of Wawonowin Golf Club, and snowmobiling to their camps on Beaufort Lake and the Dead River Basin. Later in life, Maddy kept in shape by walking to Negaunee's YMCA and exercising three times per week or more. Even when limited by a walker, Maddy made her way down Negaunee's Iron Street to work with weights past the age of 90.

Maddy loved to play cards, especially cribbage and pinochle at the Negaunee Senior Center, and was a dedicated member of the Superiorland Bridge Club, playing well into her 90s. Maddy's last card game was just three days before her death, and the staff at Teal Lake Senior Living Community says she refused to leave the table even then, despite repeated efforts to take her back to her room. Maddy also enjoyed trips to the casino. Her last trip to the casino came on her 95th birthday only a few weeks prior to her death, alongside her nieces and their husbands. Reports are Maddy came out on top.

Aside from her card playing and active lifestyle, Maddy will be best remembered for her smile, her quick wit, and a laugh so big it filled the room. Everyone she came in contact with cared about her.

Maddy was a member of the St. Paul Catholic Church in Negaunee. She was also a member of the Negaunee Eagles Club and Negaunee V.F.W. Auxiliary.

Maddy was preceded in death by her husband Rudolph "Rudy" and their infant son Rudolph.  She was also preceded in death by her parents and her three sisters, Margaret Sippola, Cecilia Jafolla and Alvera "Vera" Brisson.

Survivors include nieces and nephews Teresa (Osmond 'Spike') Kemp, Cecilia (Bradley) Jacobson, Joseph (Susan) Brisson, Dennis (Pat) Sippola, Carol (Peter) Farm, Steven (Ruth) Hillman and Mary (Roy 'Bud') Poirier, Franz Kauppila, Phillip Kauppila and Terry Lundin along with  great and great-great nieces and nephews.

Maddy's family will greet friends at the St. Paul Catholic Church in Negaunee from 11 a.m. to noon Monday, October 22, 2018.  A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at noon with Fr. Larry Van Damme to officiate. A luncheon will follow the Memorial Mass in the church gymnasium.  Interment will take place at the Ishpeming Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Teal Lake Assisted Living Activity Fund or The Negaunee Senior Center. The family would also like to thank U.P. Home Health and Hospice and Dr. Houseman and his staff and the amazing staff at Teal Lake Assisted Living, where Maddy had too many favorites to mention, but who all know who they are.

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

Maddy's Memorial Mass recording may be listened to here .