Gary Tamminen
Gary Tamminen
MARQUETTE, MI – Gary A. Tamminen, age 57, died peacefully on January 13, 2018 at home in Marquette, MI following a long battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his loving family and beloved dogs. Gary was born in St. Paul, MN in 1960, and moved to Marquette, MI in 1979, graduating a year later from MSHS.
Gary was an amazing person who had a wide variety of talents and interests, in spite of many disabilities. He was a great athlete, excelling in baseball, and also enjoyed Tae Kwan Do, bowling, scuba diving and camping. However, his favorite hobby was fishing. Gary worked most of his life in the restaurant and bar business, but his most enjoyable job was the summer he was employed at Baycliff Health Camp. In 1984, he joined the Michigan National Guard, where he served for 27 years. Many will know Gary from his passion and determination while singing karaoke at several local establishments, despite his severe hearing impairment. Others will know him for his active participation and leadership in the Marquette Alano Club, where he recently celebrated his 6 years of sobriety.
Gary is preceded in death by his parents J. Howard Tamminen (2014) and Beatrice L. Tamminen (Dec 2017); survived by sisters, Diane (Paul) Amundson, Carolyn (Bob) Kluk, Janice, and Shirley (Steve) Kriegel, and brother Brian (Mary Ann); many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles; caregiver and friend Jodi Dix; and dogs Chi Chi and Trixie.
Visitation will be at the Swanson-Lundquist Funeral Home on Tuesday, January 16, 2018 from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pmTuesday. A Private family service will be held at a later date. Memorials may be directed to UPAWS, Baycliff Health Camp, Marquette Alano Club, or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
The Swanson-Lundquist Funeral Home is serving the family where condolences may be expressed online at www.swansonlundquistfuneralhome.com