Florence V. Brumm

She was the 11th of 12 children born to Jacob and Magdalena Bal in Gaastra on July 27, 1927. Her childhood was spent in Gaastra, and she was a 1945 grad of Stambaugh High School. She then moved to Marquette to attend St. Luke’s School of Nursing and graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1948. Continuing to live in Marquette, she started her career as a Nurse and met her future husband, Robert L. Brumm Sr. The couple were married Jan. 31, 1951, in Ann Arbor. While residing there, the couple welcomed the arrival of their sons Robert Jr. and Russell. The family then relocated to Marquette and grew to include William, Gerald, and Margaret. While raising her 5 children, Flo worked as a nurse on the 3-11 shift. Full time nursing continued until her children were grown and then she retired and was ready to take on new challenges. Her first class at NMU was scuba diving, which included her final exam of an open water dive through the ice on Lake Superior. After conquering this feat, Flo attended classes full time at NMU. She loved her classes and meeting new people. Often study groups would end up at her house for studying and a hot meal. Two of her study buddies; Tim Sipes and Bill Hackel remained lifelong friends. NMU graduation occurred in 1990 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and a minor in History. Flo earned the NMU Presidential Scholar Award. Florence’s hobbies included: gardening, bicycling to the island, hunting for agates along Lake Superior beaches, visiting casinos, shopping for bargains, visiting family around the country, and a love of animals that she raised and adopted.

Flo is survived by her sister Betty Bal of Gaastra; sons Robert (Cathy Schmidtman) Brumm of Marquette; Russell (Kathy DeGeorgis) Brumm of Menasha, WI; William (Elizabeth Carnahan) Brumm of Okemos; Jerry Brumm of Lexington Park, MD; and daughter Margaret a.k.a. Mickey Brumm of Marquette. Grandchildren include Derek Brumm, Amy (Thomas) Salisbury, Daniel (Rebecca) Brumm, Tammy (Matt) Savolainen, Alissa (Bryan) Jones, Harlan (Catie) Brumm, and Edith (Liz) Waters. 11 great grandchildren: Billy, Chuckie, Aaron, Abby, Ashley, Maloa, Jackson, Macguire, Mya, Tyler, and Austin (Maddie). Survivors also include numerous nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents, her siblings: Bernice Bal, Nellie Bal, Arthur (Ginger) Bal, Helen (Ray) Kelleher, Joseph (Beverly) Bal, John (Frances) Bal, Valerie (Andrew) Tomasoski, and 3 infants. Husband: Robert L. (Bobbo) Brumm Sr.; Grandson: William Robert Brumm; In-laws included are Leonard (Meta) Brumm Sr.; Henry (Joanne) Brumm; Leonard (Frances) Brumm Jr.; Mary Lou (Walter) Nummela; and William Brumm. The family would like to thank all the staff at Mission Point for the care of our mother over the past 3 years.

Cremation has taken place. A celebration of Flo’s life will occur later this summer and will be announced at that time.

In lieu of flowers, those desiring a tribute to Flo may wish to consider UPAWS or the Marquette Regional History Museum.

Condolences can be expressed at www.fassbenderswansonhansen.com.