Gail A. Djerf

Gail A. Djerf, age 76, of Munising, died following an unexpected illness on Saturday, September 20, 2025 at UPHS Marquette. She was born on December 6, 1948 in Duluth, Minnesota, the only child to Roy and Berniece (Germaine) Larson. Gail moved to Munising as a young girl and went to Wm. G. Mather High School. She married Chuck Riley, Sr. and raised their children. On July 21, 1990, Gail married Mike Djerf and she continued to raise her family. She loved family and the grandchildren were very important to her throughout all their lives. Gail worked as a lumber inspector at CCI, she worked at Daus Gift Haus where she loved to visit with the customers, and then retired from maintenance at SCI. Gail and Mike loved classic cars, and she was very involved in the Classic Car Show. She died the same day as the Munising Car Show. Gail volunteered collecting the donations and prizes each year. Gail and Mike could be found cruising the roads in their classic cars. They attended shows throughout the Upper Peninsula and a road trip to Grand Marais was always an option. She loved cookouts, two track rides, flower gardening, bonfires, watching the birds – especially the hummingbirds, and shopping with family and friends. Gail enjoyed attending the Concert in the Park series during the summer in Munising and the water fights were always a favorite during the 4th of July festivities. She had a soft spot for animals and over the years rescued twenty-eight dogs, a couple of cats, and three birds. Family, friends, and laughter made her happy.

Gail is survived by her husband of over thirty-five years – Mike Djerf of Munising; children – Chucky (Cammy) Riley, Jr. of Gwinn, Kim Hulse (Scott Shimon) of Munising, Lori Riley of Gwinn, Dean (Sarah) Riley of Gotha, FL, and Derrick (Wendy Steinhoff) Riley; grandchildren - Brandon (Jenny) Riley, Troy Riley, Whitney Riley, Kristin Riley, Emily (Andrew) Kinnunen, Zoey Hulse, Jared (Beth) Riley, Tyler Riley, Cadence Riley, and Declan Riley; great-grandchildren – Ethan, Kayleigh, Eliza, Aspen, and Emery; numerous cousins including Arthur Germain; and many friends with a special mention of Celeste Wiitanen, Marilyn Johns, and Sue Shoen. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Services for Gail will be held on Friday, September 26, 2025 at the Bowerman Funeral Home in Munising. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Gail’s friend, Bruce Dausey, will officiate her funeral service at 1:00 p.m. Interment will be at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Munising.