Lee Ann Seppanen

Lee Ann Seppanen, age 58, of Chatham, died early Sunday afternoon, October 11, 2015 at U.P. Health System in Marquette after experiencing a stroke earlier that morning. She was born during a late spring storm on April 6, 1957 in Marquette, Michigan to Edwin "Matt" and Carolyn (Johnson) Nelson. Lee Ann grew up in Eben and graduated from Eben High School in 1975. At a family friend's wedding reception during her senior year, a young Allen Seppanen asked her to dance. Lee Ann and Allen were married on July 25, 1981 and together they raised their two sons. She worked at Surgical Associates in Marquette for eight years and then decided to stay home with her boys. Lee Ann was a "stay at home mom" who opened her home to many families for day care. She lovingly cared for children for over thirty years. Lee Ann enjoyed being at home. She creatively decorated her home for each of the seasons, and her beautiful flower gardens expanded each year. She and Allen enjoyed traveling and drinking morning coffee together. Lee Ann was a wonderful mom, wife, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend.

She is survived by her loving husband and friend - Allen Seppanen of Chatham; their sons - Gregory Seppanen of Chatham and Kyle Seppanen of Rochester Hills, MI; her mother - Carolyn Nelson; her only sister - Susan (Jeff) Gohl; niece - April (Adam) Nordness; nephew - Taylor (Amanda) Gohl; great nieces and nephews - Stephanie, Riley, Aidan, and Owen; brothers and sisters-in-law - Carolyn (Jerry) Kvarda, Gloria Carlson, Marcia (David) Tulkki, David (Sandra) Seppanen, James (Rhonda) Seppanen, Jon (Ann) Seppanen, and Peter (Judy) Gregory; 22 nieces and nephews on the Seppanen side of the family; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and children that she cared for throughout the years. Lee Ann was preceded in death by her beloved father - Edwin "Matt" Nelson; parents-in-law - Walter and Inez Seppanen; grandparents - Carl and Martha Johnson and Richard and Sylvia Nelson; sister-in-law - Elenore Gregory; brother-in-law - Franklin "Swede" Carlson; and nephew - Gregory Carlson.

A memorial service will be officiated by Pastor Paul Kelto on Saturday, October 17, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at the Sion Lutheran Church in Chatham. Visiting time will be from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Memorials are requested to be made to a charity of one's choice.