Alice May Papke

Portage Township

Alice M. Papke, 88, a resident of Portage Township passed away Monday December 23, 2024, at Canal View –Houghton County where she had been a resident patient.

She was born on October 20, 1936, in Baltic, MI, a daughter of the late Lewis and Frances (Stimac) Hamlin. She attended St. Ignatius Loyola School and also the Houghton High School.

In 1951, Alice was united in marriage to Emil "Brud" Papke. They celebrated 66 years together as they raised four sons. On May 14, 2019, Brud preceded Alice in death.

Mrs. Papke was a lifelong member of St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church in Houghton. Alice had worked at the Woolworth Store in Hancock for several years and was then employed at Michigan Tech Public Safety for twenty one years until she retired at the age of 70. Alice loved her job and the people she worked with.

She was one of two original bowlers at the Houghton Bowling alley in Houghton who transferred to the Copper Bowl in Ripley, where she did league bowling until they closed. She bowled for over 40 years and retired from it in 2009 due to ill health. Alice also golfed for many years with her numerous friends.

Alice was a loving mother and grandmother and enjoyed spending time with fer family. She made a great potato salad that she had learned from her mother-in-law and it was enjoyed by family and friends.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Emil Papke, her parents, and her granddaughter Breanna Papke

Surviving are:

Her sons: Paul, Anthony (Brenda), Ronald (Bonnie), Christopher (Niki): Her sister Theresa Halmin: nephew Craig (Jess) Hamlin: grandchildren; Christine, Paul Jr., Ryan, Amanda, Bradley, Aria, Natasha and Autumn; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

A prayer service for Alice will be held 1:00 pm Friday December 27, 2024, at the Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service – Hancock Chapel with Fr. John Martignon to officiate. Spring burial will be in the Forest Hill Cemetery of Houghton.

Friends may call on Friday December 2&, 2024, from 12 noon until time of services at the Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service – Hancock Chapel.

Alice's family would like to thank the staff of Canal View – Houghton County for their care of their beloved Alice. She will be greatly missed.

To view Alice's obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit www.memorialchapel.net.

The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service – Hancock Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements.