Dr. James A. Kolberg (MD), Died September 27, 2019

Dr. James A. Kolberg (MD)

Died September 27, 2019

 SUTTONS BAY – Dr. James A. Kolberg (MD), of Suttons Bay passed away on Friday, September 27, 2019 at the Grand Traverse Pavilions in Traverse City, surrounded by his loving family. 

Jim was born January 10, 1936 in Saginaw.  He proudly served in the Navy during the Korean War and went on to obtain his medical degree from the University of Michigan. He subsequently served the Leelanau community for over three decades providing medical care while becoming a respected leader in the area. 

Jim owned and operated the Leelanau Clinic at the former Leelanau Memorial Hospital in Northport where he took joy in helping those in need and introducing many babies to the world of Northern Michigan. 

Jim possessed a broad and intellectual mind and his interests extended well beyond medical care as he had a special knack for solving mechanical problems.  He built and flew experimental airplanes and even built two boats. He loved all things surrounding University of Michigan and he loved spending time with his family and friends but held a special love for M&M’s, Good and Plenty’s and ice cream. 

Jim’s life will continue to be celebrated through his sister, Jeanine (Douglas) MacDougall; and his three children, Natalie (David) Foisie, Kevin Kolberg, and Craig (Tammy) Kolberg; as well as two grandchildren, Cody Wooters and Taylor Kolberg.  Jim was married to Carita (Armstead) Kolberg from 1961 to 1977.

Jim was predeceased by his parents, Albert and Dorothy (McCann) Kolberg; and his brother, Jerry Kolberg. 

Visitation will be held on Friday, October 4, 2019 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.  The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 5, 2019 at the Bethany Lutheran Church of Northport.  Burial in Leelanau Township Cemetery will follow.  Pastor Ruth Overdier will officiate. 

Memorial gifts for Jim can be made to the Dr. James Kolberg Scholarship Fund at the Leelanau Township Community Foundation and your donation can be made at www.LeelanauFoundation.org by clicking on the “Donate” button.  Earnings from this fund provide scholarships to graduating seniors of Northport Public School who have chosen to study in the field of medicine.


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Rita R. Lesko Died September 15, 2019

Rita R. Lesko

Died September 15, 2019

SUTTONS BAY – Rita Renee Lesko, 62, of Suttons Bay and formerly of Sault St. Marie, passed away Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019 in the comfort of her home.

Rita was born on Dec. 7, 1956, the daughter of Joseph and Ethel (Jones) Brand.  She married Shane Lesko who preceded her in death on Feb. 15, 2007.

Rita was a profound Chef and had a passion for creating beautiful art.  She took a creative approach to motherhood from picnics in the living room to a tunnel of plants in place of a Christmas tree with presents inside, to beach hunting on summer days.

Rita was grateful for anything down to a cup of coffee.  Rita loved all those she met and had continued to meet throughout her journey.  Rita was determined to celebrate her life for all that it was, she loved life, she always viewed it through a different light and made sure to tell us that seeing and experiencing were two different things.

Rita wants us to celebrate her life as she would which was as her saying went, “Party Like a Rockstar!”  Rita will truly be missed by all who knew her as she touched so many lives in countless ways.

Rita is survived by her mother, Ethel Jones-Brand; her two daughters, Sequetta Brand and Syreeta and Olando Brown; thirteen grandchildren; two great grandchildren; siblings, Sam and Ruby Hatfield, James Hatfield, Loretta Brand, Reno Brand, Nicole Tabor, and Jodi Polk; special friends, Adrienne and Graz Shipman.

In addition to her husband, Rita was preceded in death by her father, Joseph.

An intimate celebration of Rita’s life will be held for immediate family and friends Thursday, September 19 from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Hansen’s Beach in Suttons Bay MI.

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Gary Lee Couturier Died August 28, 2019

Gary L Couturier

Died August 28, 2019

BUCKLEY-Gary Lee Couturier, 77, of Buckley, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019, in Garfield Township, surrounded by his loving family.


Gary was born May 12, 1942, in Traverse City, the son of Leroy and Margaret (Stachnik) Couturier.


Gary started his career as a Tin Knocker.  He did many jobs throughout his life and owned and operated his own construction company, building and developing many homes and subdivisions in the Grand Traverse area.


He had a love of motors and cars/trucks.  Gary restored, built and collected many street rods and classic cars over the years.  His children joked that he didn’t put additions on his home, but he would put additions on his pole barn to hold his collection.  Gary was even buying and selling a truck while in the hospital.


Gary is survived by his three daughters, Monica (Carl) O’Brien, Renee (Bob Micham) Couturier, Nicole Couturier; two siblings, Diane (Jerry) Breithaupt and Dewey Couturier; four grandchildren, Mitchell, Lucas, Sean, and Joshua O’Brien; a great grandson, Logan O’Brien; and fiancé, Katie Krohn; and many nieces and a nephew.


He was preceded in death by his parents, and his wife, Judithe (Fons) Couturier, in 2003.


A memorial celebration will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019 with the family greeting friends at 11 a.m. at Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.  Private family burial in Traverse City Oakwood Catholic Cemetery will be held at a later date.  Deacon Rene Hoenscheid will officiate.

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Ryan T. Castle, Died September 8, 2019

Ryan T. Castle

Died Sep. 8, 2019

MAPLE CITY – Ryan Thomas Castle, 37, of Maple City, passed away Sunday, Sep. 8, 2019 at home surrounded by his loving family.

Ryan was born March 24, 1982 in Traverse City the son of Thomas and Barbara Castle.  He was a 2001 graduate of Glen Lake High School.  After high school, Ryan joined the U.S. Army, departing for boot camp on September 11, 2001.  Ryan served with the 118^th Military Police Company (Airborne) Fort Bragg North Carolina, 221st/3rd Military Police Detachment Fort Eustis Virginia, U.S. Army Recruiting station Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, 472nd Military Police Company Fort Wainwright Alaska, and 28th Military Police Detachment Fort Wainwright Alaska.

Ryan had over twelve and a half years of service and rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant.  SSG Castle earned his Parachutist Badge and Air Assault Badge and was deployed twice to theaters of combat in Afghanistan and then Iraq.  Among the many awards and ribbons, SSG Castle earned the Combat Action Badge and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal with Valor Device.  Ryan was honorably medically discharged from the Army on August 17, 2014.

Ryan loved all things outdoors.  Ryan took extreme care of his vehicles, almost to the point of OCD some would say, in the care he gave to making them look meticulous on the inside and out.  As a teenager his truck may have been rusty on the outside but the inside was immaculate  Ryan loved four wheeling, hunting, and fishing as well as spending time with family and friends.

On any given fall Sunday, you could count on finding Ryan cheering on his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers.  He was one of the color guards on the field for the Steeler's home games during his time in Pennsylvania.  Ryan also always enjoyed playing a round of golf with friends and family.  He loved taking his chocolate lab, Gemma, to the lake to play and swim, and of course a doggy ice cream cone after.  He also enjoyed playing euchre with his family and friends every week.

Ryan was a very giving person, always helping others, no matter what they needed... no questions asked.  He always had a smile to share and was the heart of any and all gatherings.  Ryan will hold a special place in every heart that knew him.

Ryan is survived by his parents, Thomas and Barbara; his daughter, Ashlynn; two sisters, Jennifer (Timothy) Butts, and Shannon (Anthony) Sheffer; six nieces and nephew, Kara, Nicholas (Caelyn), Kaylee, Kylie Butts and Ella and Madyson Sheffer; four uncles, Dave and Bill Castle, Walter (Barbara) and Gary (Laura) Klingelsmith; two aunts, Barbara and Linda Klingelsmith; and many loving extended family members.

Ryan was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Bruce and Mary Castle and maternal grandparents Bernard and Neoma Klingelsmith, two uncles, Dave and James Klingelsmith, as well as his beloved childhood dog, Tipsy.

The funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, September 16 with the family greeting friends as 12 noon at the Holy Rosary Church of Cedar.

Memorials may be directed to K9s For Warriors at www.k9forwarriors.org and/or the Military Police Regimental Association at www.mpraonline.org.

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Jo Walker, Died September 8, 2019

Jo Walker

Died Sep. 8, 2019

LELAND – Jo Walker, 54, of Leland, passed away Sunday, Sep. 8, 2019 at Spectrum Hospital Grand Rapids surrounded by her loving family.

Jo was born Oct. 19, 1964 in South Bend, Indiana the daughter of Richard and Mary Belle (Myers) Marble.  

On June 12, 2004, preceding the Leland Wine and Food Festival; on the deck of Rick’s Café at The Cove she married James A. Walker, who survives.

Jo was deeply involved in the community and gave of herself to others.  She was a board member of the Fishtown Preservation Society, the League of Woman Voters Leelanau County and also their webmaster, Leelanau Christian Neighbors where she was instrumental in the founding of Blessings in a Backpack.  Jo was secretary/treasurer of Birchwood Shores Preservation Association and worked closely with Leland Public Schools Bridge Connection.

She loved gardening and traveling, Jo just finished making a San Diego condo into a second home.  Jo loved Lake Michigan sunsets from her home and her cars Eleanor and Eloise.  She deeply loved her two dogs, Brampton and Lacey.

Jo had become an accomplished gardener quite; a long way from when Jim asked her what kind of plant she wanted, and her answer was “anything plastic”!  She hated helicopter rides yet did them for and with Jim as he liked them so much.

When it came time to cook Jo had had great ideas and was an accomplished pie maker.  One of her former workmates witnessed this change and asked Jim “what have you done to her ?”  These are just a small sampling of how they grew closer together over time becoming almost a singular unit with the sole purpose of keeping each other happy and so deeply in love.

Jo is survived by her loving husband of fifteen years, Jim; two children, Christopher Corpe, Stephanie (Todd) Allen; six grandchildren, Avery Corpe; Hailey, Kensley, Annie and Auggie Allen; two step-children, Wendy (Nick) Walker Vernon, James (Linda) Walker Jr.; and four step-grandchildren, Cayden and Garrett Vernon and Oliver and Paul Walker.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

A celebration of Jo’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, Sep. 14 at the Suttons Bay Congregational Church.  Rev. Dr. Robin Carden will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Fishtown Preservation Society, PO Box 721, Leland, MI 49654.

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Mark R. Perry Died September 5, 2019

Mark R. Perry

Died Sep. 5, 2019

TRAVERSE CITY – Mark Richard Perry, 62, of Traverse City, passed away Thursday, Sep. 5, 2019 at Munson Medical Center.

Mark was born July 23, 1957, in Flint, the son of Richard and Patricia (Rasak) Perry.  On Sep. 19, 1998 at the St. Wenceslaus Church of Gills Pier he married Kristen F. (Keefe) Perry, who survives.

Mark Perry was an explorer, contemplating the bigger picture.  He was an avid lover of the earth, sky and miraculous universe of possibility.  He shared his love through quiet tolerance, acceptance, compassion, and wry humor.



He was a courageous journeyman, challenging conformity and adversity throughout a lifetime of originality.  He lived many lives: chef, barman, gardener, musician and Jazz lover, voracious and eclectic reader, and spiritual seeker.



Growing up on Lake Fenton, Mark enjoyed water skiing and sailing at an early age and excelled at snow skiing which inspired several years of living in the Rocky Mountains.



He was the man who always left his door open.  The friend that stayed up all night... and listened.  The brother, mentor, rock and lighthouse in every storm.  As a loving son he enjoyed a rich connection with his parents sharing his passions and life’s joys.



Most importantly, as a husband he was lover, protector, guardian, and best friend.



All he met were captivated, easily striking up a conversation with a perfect stranger.  Everyone he knew now feels a void where the light of generosity, curiosity, loyalty and safety once was.

Mark is survived by his loving wife of 20 years, Kristy; his father, Richard (Karen) Perry; his siblings, John (Diana) Perry, Timothy Perry, Nancy Perry, James (Ellen) Perry; his nieces and nephews, Patricia, Shannon, Taj, Sol, Tara, Matthew, Amara, Maizey, Sara, and Nicholas.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Patricia; and two brothers, Thomas and Phillip Perry.

A celebration of Mark’s life will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sep. 15 with the family greeting friends at 11 a.m. at Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.

Memorials may be directed to the Perry Family, PO Box 159, Suttons Bay, MI 49682.

Please share condolences with Mark’s family atwww.martinson.info

Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Leelanau.

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