Edward ‘Ed’ William Kuivinen

ESCANABA — Edward “Ed” William Kuivinen, 94, of Escanaba, passed away June 9, 2025 at LakeHouse in Escanaba. 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, MI. Together, the coupled shared 66 years of marriage and raised three 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 Joy relocated to Escanaba in 1961 where he set up his dentistry practice. In 1966, he partnered with Dr. Roger Beauchamp, Dr. Byron Zeni, Dr. Don Fitch, and Dr. Ray Hockstad. to establish Dr’s Park. 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. They built their cottage in Stonington and spent nearly 50 years enjoying their property. In the winters, Ed and Joy spent many years wintering in Texas where they met many new friends. Ed enjoyed golfing at the Escanaba Country Club and the Terrace Bluff, and played in the City Basketball League. Ed was a longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church in Escanaba.

Edward William Kuivinen 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, Sarah (Bryce) Lahrman, Ryan (Olivia) Tapani, and Lukas Tapani; great-grandchildren, Bennett, Henry, and Charlie Lahrman.

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

Visitation will be held from 1 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, proceeds serve Delta County. The Anderson Funeral Home is assisting the Kuivinen family with the arrangements and online condolences can be sent to the family at www.andersonfuneralhomes.net.