Obituaries

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!

Nancy I. Phillipson, age 72, of Munising died on Monday, July 1, 2024 under the loving care of her family and North Woods Hospice at Harbour View Assisted Living in Munising. She was born in Cleveland, Ohio to Carl and Barbara (Haught) Smock on March 4, 1952. Nancy grew up in St. Louis, Michigan where she lived on the family farm and attended elementary school in a one room schoolhouse until sixth grade. She graduated from St. Louis High School in 1970 and then attended Central Michigan University. Nancy married Emmett L. Phillipson on October 13, 1973. Together, Emmett and Nancy began raising their family in Coleman, Michigan where Nancy worked at the Coleman Super Market. The family moved to the Upper Peninsula in 1988, and Nancy started working at Hub’s Super Valu. Nancy earned a correction’s certificate from Northern Michigan University and began working for the Department of Corrections in 1993 until 2010 when she retired as a resident unit officer. Nancy was a talented bowler. She enjoyed telling stories, spending time at the beach, cutting grass, blowing snow, watching Law and Order SVU, and spending many hours on counted cross stitch projects. Nancy loved being with her grandchildren.