July 2024

Antonia “Toni” Cowell, age 89, of Munising, died on Sunday, July 7, 2024 at Medilodge of Munising. She was born on May 11, 1935 to Sylvester and Jeanette (Pawielski) Carlson. Toni graduated from Sacred Heart School and then Wm. G. Mather High School in 1952. She married Donald L. Lassila in October of 1955 and together they raised their three children. They spent a lot of time in the woods brook trout fishing, berry picking, snowshoeing, and spending every Sunday with family on Sixteen Mile Lake. Don preceded her in death in September of 1978. Toni worked for many years at Kimberly Clark in the Finishing Room and then Montgomery Wards and then Ben Franklin. She then went to work at Peoples State Bank, starting out as a teller and progressing to bookkeeper and retired in the early 2000’s. In 1981, she went on her first date with Bob Cowell to an NMU/MTU hockey game. They were married in 1988. Toni and Bob enjoyed taking bus tours, bowling, and golfing together. Bob taught her how to play Bridge and Toni learned well, traveling to tournaments together. Bob preceded her in death in 2006. Toni loved parties, particularly with her family. She entertained like no other with food galore and “complex” Jello shots with a squirt of “kkkk” (Reddi-wip) on top. Toni loved to decorate for every holiday. The outside of her home was a spectacle for all to enjoy. The inside was even more spectacular for those who entered!