Jean M. Paananen

Jean Paananen

MUNISING, MI – Jean M. Paananen, age 91, of Munising, died Wednesday evening, November 6, 2019 at Medilodge of Munising. She was born on November 28, 1927, in Munising, Michigan to the late William and Elizabeth (Hebert) LaFave. Jean graduated from Sacred Heart School and then from Wm. G. Mather High School in 1945. She worked at the Delft Theater and for a short time at the Munising Paper Mill. Jean married Charles Paananen on September 7, 1946, and together they raised their five children. They purchased Charlie’s family farm in Chatham and began running the farm, and raising their family on Finn Spur Road for the next eight years. In her younger years, Jean enjoyed bowling, swimming, hiking at Perch Lake, and ice skating. Her family soon became her focus, and loved being surrounded by them. Jean coordinated many memorable picnics, family card nights, and trips to visit all of the family camps throughout the summer. As the years went on Jean’s family get-togethers would still revolve around card games and looking at slide shows of great family memories. She had great sense of humor and could have her girls tearing up in laughter with her perfectly placed cliche or old time saying. Jean was member of Sacred Heart Church and the National Catholic Society of Foresters.