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Edward ‘Ed’ William Kuivinen

ESCANABA — Edward “Ed” William Kuivinen, age 94, of Escanaba, passed away June 9, 2025 at LakeHouse in Escanaba, Mich. He was born on May 2, 1931 in Wakefield, MI, the son of Nels and Sadie (Hendrickson) Kuivinen. He was raised and attended school in Wakefield where he played football, tennis, and baseball, and graduated Valedictorian from Wakefield High School in 1949. Ed went on to further his education at he University of Michigan from 1949 until 1951 when he broke his knee. He then attended Northern Michigan University from 1951 until 1954. Ed went on to serve his country in the U.S. Army on September 16, 1954 as a medical corporal for two years and was stationed in Stugart, Germany until he was honorably discharged on August 30, 1956.

Ed married the former Alice Joy Collins on June 22, 1957 in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. Together, the coupled shared 66 years of marriage and raised 3 children, Toby, Brenda, and Sharon. Ed went back to further his education at the University of Michigan, where he received his DDS degree in 1961. Ed and Alice relocated to Escanaba in 1961 where he set up his dentristry partnership with Dr. Roger Beauchamp, Dr. Byron Zeni, Dr. Don Fitch, and Dr. Ray Hockstad. In 1966, they built Dr.’s Park as partners. Ed practiced Dentistry in Escanaba for 30 years until his retirement in 1990.

Ed joined the Escanaba Lions Club and retired as Lifetime Member and he ran the Lions Club Golf League for 35 years. He built their cottage in Stonington and spent nearly 50 years enjoying their property. In the winters, Ed and Alice spent many years wintering in Texas where they met many new friends. Ed enjoyed golfing at the Escanaba Country Club and the Terrace Bluff, was part of the BB Incity League, and was a longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church in Escanaba.

Edward William Kuivenen is survived by his children: son, Edward Toivo “Toby” (Tammy) Kuivinen of Escanaba; daughters, Brenda Leigh (Lynn) Thompson of Oakview, CA, and Sharon Lynn (Kevin) Tapani of Wayzata, MN; grandchildren, Sara (Bryce) Lahrman, Ryan (Olivia) Tapani, and Lucas Tapani; great-grandchildren, Bennett, Henry, and Charlie Lahman; sister, Karen Jean (Al) Dennis; brother, Jack (Debbie) Collins.

In addition to his parents, Edward was preceded in death by his wife Alice Joy Kuivinen on July 21, 2023, an infant son shortly after birth and Douglas Edward Kuivinen.

Visitation will be held from 1 p.m.. to 2:45 pm. Friday, June 13 at the Anderson Funeral Home in Escanaba. Delta County Veterans Council services will be held at 2:45 Friday at the Anderson Funeral Home Chapel, being assisted by the U.S. Army National Guard. Funeral services celebrating the life of Edward “Ed” Kuivinen will be held at 3:30 p.m. Friday at the First Presbyterian Church with Priscilla Green officiating. A luncheon will be served following the funeral services in the church fellowship hall. Burial will take place in the Lakeview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials can be directed to Hospice Promise Foundation of Delta County. The Anderson Funeral Home is assisting the Kuivinen family with the arrangements and online condolences can be sent to the family at HYPERLINK “http://www.andersonfuneralhomes.net/”www.andersonfuneralhomes.net.