Lowell ‘Luke’ Alan LaPlant

He was born in Escanaba, Mich. on April 3, 1935 the son of Luke and Loretta (Boubonaise) LaPlant. He lived his entire life in Gladstone, growing up in the Buckeye. He was blessed with great athletic abilities when he graduated from Gladstone High School in 1953. Luke retired from Harnischfeger in 1983 after 30+ years.

He married his high school sweetheart, Beverly Brandl, on June 11th, 1955 and together they raised four daughters – Kim, Marsha, Lori and Maureen. He was so proud of his family and his girls were the light of his life.

Also his favorite people called him grandpa. He deeply loved and was so proud of his grandkids! He was their biggest cheerleader whether it was sports, hunting, fishing, schoolwork or just giving advice. He made each one of them feel special. In his younger years, he would rotate between Rapid River, Gladstone, and Escanaba each morning picking up the grandkids and taking them to school. They never left his house hungry or without a little money in their pocket.

Every year on our birthdays, we couldn’t wait for a phone call from him with his own version of “Happy Birthday!” We will miss his awesome chocolate malts, sense of humor, beautiful blue eyes, or how he’d yell “your grandpa loves ya” or “your dad loves ya!” or “55! and watch them lights!” out the back door whenever we’d leave his house. The way he’d sing “You Are My Sunshine” will always be a favorite since he loved our family sing-a-longs!

One of his greatest accomplishments also in life was his camp “Ironsides” in Cornell Michigan, which he built by himself in the 1950s. He and Beverly spent every weekend there waking up and enjoying the beautiful view of the sun on the river. And if he wasn’t enjoying camp, you could find him in his garage carving ducks or various things out of wood since woodworking was one of his passions.

We will miss the best husband, dad and grandpa there ever was.

Lowell is survived by his wife, Beverly of 65 years; daughters, Kim (Don) Lauscher, Lori (Brian) Lauscher, and Maureen (Jeff) Zar; brothers, Vern (Dorothy) LaPlant, Gary (Helen) LaPlant, Lynn (Sue) LaPlant and sister Susan (Ken) Gustafson, and sister in law Sharon Brandl, also numerous nieces and nephews. Luke’s grandchildren, Heidi (Bryan) Baldovski, Kurt (Kelly) Lauscher, Lindsey (Ryan) Rosinski, Jayme (Eric) Cannon, Samantha (Rick) McLeod, BJ (Sara) Lauscher, Courtney (Todd) Ruatti, Andy (Ashley) Lauscher, and Jeff (Holly) Zar; great-grandchildren, Riley, Reece, Drew, Trent, Landon, Teegan, Scout, Bryer, Cruz, Andie, Rhett, Paislee, Maci, Tripp, Kerry, Colton, Lucas and baby Ruatti (on the way).

Luke is preceded in death by his daughter Marsha in 1975, his parents Luke and Loretta LaPlant, in-laws Arthur and Mary Brandl, sisters-in-law Shirley (Alan) Newman and Donna (Todd) Boutilier, his siblings Larry (Mickey) LaPlant, Bill (Babber) and Shirley Bryan, and Betty (Joe) Depuydt, nephews Brian Boutilier and Toddy Newman, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

In keeping with his wishes, there will be no visitation. Our family would like to thank everyone for their kind words and prayers. A special thanks to the OSF Hospice staff and nurses for their outstanding care and also to Deacon Mike and Fr. Jamie Ziminski for their comforting words.

Rest in eternal peace with your “little bearcat” Marsha, we love you and we’ll miss you so much.

The Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting the LaPlant family. Please visit www.skradskifuneralhomes.com where you can leave a message of condolence to the family.