From the time I was a little girl, I (Stef) have been in love with Michigan's Upper Peninsula.  Family vacations almost always meant a trip to Grandma and Grandpa's (Mom's parents) on Lake Michigamme.  As I grew older and learned about my family's heritage in the UP, these beautiful places of childhood memories began to have much greater significance.  Generations before me traveled the same roads, swam along the same shores, and worshipped in the same churches that I know and love. 

Chris and I are so excited to be getting married at St. Al's, where we met and grew our relationship in the Lord.   But for me, there's much more.  I'm delighted to have the opportinity to share with you this place that has become so dear to my heart.  I am honored to be part of such a rich history.  Read on, and let me tell you about some of the places I love.

Ishpeming

Grandpa was born and raised in Ishpeming.  The house he lived in as a child still stands on Cleveland Avenue, located near Bell Memorial Hospital.  Later in life, my great grandparents bought a house in downtown Ishpeming.  They actually lived in several different houses in the town at different times, but this was the last.  Both of Grandpa's parents died before I was born, but he kept the house for many years.  While on vacation in Michigamme, my family would occasionally stop there with Grandpa on our way into town.  I remember a bowl of plastic fruit on the kitchen table, and the damp, musky feeling of the Michigan basement.  I remember the huge stuffed animals in the upstairs bedrooms, and my great-grandmother's desk, which Mom inherited and put in my bedroom at home.

At least four generations are buried in the Ishpeming Cemetary, including these great-grandparents.  Also among them are Grandpa's parents,  Uncle Paul “Peter” Denn Jr., and Grandma Patricia Denn.  Uncle Peter died of cancer in 1993, and Grandma passed away in 1997 after a long illness. 

Champion

Grandpa also has family in Champion and Michigamme who have worshipped at Sacred Heart Church for several generations.  When we go to Mass with Grandpa we always sit in the same pew, three from the back on the right-hand side, where he sat as a child visiting his grandparents.  A stained glass window bears the family name, “Carriere.”

On the west edge of the town, a dilapidated building still advertises for the saloon that it once housed.  Once upon a time, it was a restaurant that fed hungry passengers arriving on the train.  I can only imagine the hustle and bustle those trains must have brought for Grandpa's mother, Violet, and her sister, Em, as they worked delivering food.

The Champion Cemetary is fondly known to us as “Three Trees” for the three pines marking the graves of my great, great-grandparents.  Several generations are buried in this cemetery.  These are Grandpa’s maternal relatives.  

Michigamme

Before this was “Up North” for my family and me, it was a camp for Grandpa’s Uncle Art and Aunt Maude.  From the time Mom was a little girl growing up in Detroit, Grandma and Grandpa would pack everybody up and drive to Michigamme.  First there was an Airstream trailer and an outhouse.  Then a boathouse.  And finally, the house I know as  Grandpa’s.  We have many fond memories here.  There are a few pictures on our Photo Album page – Chris joined us for several days last summer.  

Houghton

Grandma was born on a farm in Michigan's Lower Peninsula.  Her father later became a County Agricultural Agent and traveled all over the state of Michigan. When Grandma was in high school, the family moved to Houghton where Great  Grandpa Cargo had an office in one of the old buildings downtown. 

Grandma’s family lived in one side of a duplex that still stands on Hubbell Street.  It’s across the street from Michigan Tech’s Campus, almost a straight shot from the Memorial Union Building.  Grandma went to school at Suomi College (now Finlandia University) in Hancock before earning an education degree from Michigan State.  Her sister and brother graduated from Michigan Tech with degrees in Chemistry and Electrical Engineering, respectively.

 After interrupting his college career at the University of Michigan to serve in World War II, Grandpa also pursued a degree in Mechanical Engineering at Michigan Tech.  Grandma was home (in Houghton) from her teaching job in downstate Michigan when they met.  They were married at St. Ignatius’ Loyola Catholic Church in Houghton (on Portage Street, near the Courthouse) on August 16, 1949.

 Grandma and Grandpa had their wedding reception in the Douglass House Hotel, which has since been converted to apartments.  The bar below, however has remained.  I wonder if was as popular then as it is now.?!  Chris and I are honored to be celebrating with our family and friends less than a block away, at the Franklin Square Inn.