Michigamme – Mary J. Perry, age 94, of 206 E. Main St., Michigamme passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 14, 2016 at her home in Michigamme. She was in the loving care of her family and the Upper Peninsula Home Health and Hospice.

Mary was born June 2, 1921 in Austin, MN the daughter of Clarence and Ruth (Brott) VanDeusen. Her family moved from Minnesota to Michigan in her childhood, first to Big Bay and then to Channing where her family ran a farm. Mary married Arthur "Jack" Perry and they resided in Michigamme where they raised their family. Mary had worked at the Miracle Center, Polkey's Restaurant at the junction of 95 and 41 and for several years at Skytta's IGA in Michigamme.

Mary loved the outdoors. In the 1940's and 50's she was the only woman that stayed out at hunting camp, she was always actively involved in the hunt, staying out all day on the drive with the male hunters. Mary loved to fish for brook trout on the Tioga River. In the 1980's she could be found at the Treado Camp on Thomas Lake collecting sap from maple trees and making maple syrup, a task she happily shared with her grandchildren.

Mary was a member of the Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Champion. She especially enjoyed playing cards and looked forward to the weekly cribbage night at the Michigamme Community Building. Mary loved to knit and was still making socks up until 3 months before her death, it was a skill she wanted to pass on to her great grandchildren.

Survivors include her son Francis J. Perry of Michigamme, 5 grandchildren - A.J. (Heather) Bullock, Mary Jane (Jamie) Willis, Cheryl (Steven) Turausky, Lisa (Rusty) Bowers, John Perry - 11 great grandchildren - Caren (Andrew) Switcher, Allan Bullock, Micayla Bullock, Cera Bullock, Tiffany (Tyler) Crum, Allen (Elizabeth) Willis, Philip Turausky, Faith Turausky, Victoria Turausky, Joseph Bowers, Jack Bowers, Jessica Bowers, Zachary Perry, Jamie Perry, Collin Perry, and 9 great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Jack Perry, and her daughter Clarice Porter, 4 brothers and 3 sisters.

A memorial service will be held in the spring at the Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Champion. Interment will take place at Northland Chapel Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Upper Peninsula Home Health and Hospice.

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