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Louraine ‘Lou’ B. Ham

ESCANABA — Louraine “Lou” B. Ham, 89, of Escanaba, passed away early Friday afternoon, Jan. 18, 2019 at St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay, Wis. She was born on Aug. 15, 1929 in Gary, Ind., the daughter of Norris and Mildred Broadwater. Lou graduated from high school and moved to Mount Pleasant, Iowa, where she attended college at Wesleyan University. She received her bachelor’s degree in education. The former Louraine M. Broadwater married Robert S. Ham on Dec. 11, 1948 in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, and he preceded her in death on Sept. 30, 2005. They raised three children. The family relocated to Escanaba in 1959. Lou began substitute teaching and later taught English and psychology at the Escanaba High School for many years until her retirement. She was very active in the Delta County Historical Society. Lou served as president, vice-president and corresponding secretary for the society and was a member of their board from 1970 until the time of her death. She enjoyed writing the “Museum Musings” for the Delta Historian. Although she preferred to stay in the background, her quiet and tireless efforts in fundraising have resulted in several anonymous donors giving generously to building projects and to purchase a replica Fresnel lens for the Sand Point Lighthouse. In every role she retained a clear, long-term vision of the mission and obligations of the historical society and its leadership. Lou loved to read — she had many different interests. She also found joy in the outdoors, especially camping, fishing, and boating. Lou would often walk up and down the beach to collect odd shaped driftwood. She enjoyed traveling to various places, cooking, baking, and sharing recipes with her family and friends. Lou was also a big fan of major league baseball. Lou was a former member of First Presbyterian Church in Escanaba.

Louraine B. Ham is survived by son, Jack (Karen) Ham of Hubbell, Mich.; daughter, Laurel Moon of Escanaba; daughter-in-law, Marilynn Ham of Mishawaka, Ind.; three grandchildren, Norris (Angela) Ham, Meryl (Justin) Masterson and Danielle Moon; seven great-grandchildren, Eden, Cruze and Nadia Masterson, Jovee and CJ Ham, and Alivia and Salaura McClure; many great friends. Lou loved her grand dogs, Kinkuu, Joey and Cricket and they will surely miss their grandma.

In addition to her parents and husband, Louraine was preceded in death by one son, Robert Norris Ham, on Feb. 12, 2016.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 24, at the Anderson Funeral Home in Escanaba. Private funeral services will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to please be directed to the Delta County Historical Society Lighthouse Fund. The Anderson Funeral Homes are assisting the Ham family and online condolences can be sent at www.andersonfuneralhomes.net.