Edna Eleanor Caramella

Edna Eleanor Caramella, 82, of Bergland, passed away in Okemos, Michigan on December 28, 2017 after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. She was born on November 16, 1935 in Laird Township, the second child of the late Kenneth and Lydia (Lungi) Grant.

Edna graduated from the Bergland High School and married Donald Maki in 1955 in Bergland, and they raised their four children while he was an officer in the Michigan State Police. He preceded her in death in 1987. She married Mario Caramella of White Pine, Michigan in 1989 and they lived in Bergland until 2016. He preceded her in death on May 31, 2017.

Edna had an adventurous spirit and loved the out of doors. She was a lifelong swimmer and once swam across Lake Gogebic with her sister Mary rowing alongside. She loved canoeing, biking and walking and was often seen at the lake in Bergland. When she lived downstate in her younger years, she loved swimming in and hiking on the dunes of Lake Michigan. She enjoyed helping Mario create beautiful and plentiful gardens in their yard. She was an avid reader and played a competitive game of Scrabble. She was a lifelong learner and enjoyed long conversations with family and close friends. She was a strong, independent woman, full of knowledge, who loved her community. She loved her children and her family unconditionally.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brothers Kenneth Grant of Bergland and Lloyd Grant of Ypsilanti, Michigan, daughter Jane (Steve) Wiggin of Newport, Maine, and grand-daughter Sheila Taylor of Williamston, Michigan. Surviving are her children, Brenda (Ron) O’Brien of Williamston, Michigan, Don (Colleen) Maki of Barryton, Michigan, and Ann (Dennis Brown) Maki of St. Joseph, Michigan; grandchildren Chris Taylor, Zach Love, Josh and Caitlyn Maki, Dan and Jim Wiggin; great grandchildren Colton Love and Emma Maki; sisters Lois (Paul) Funke, Mary (Sig) Hokens, and brother Clarence Grant; step children Michael (Michelle) Caramella, Patrick Caramella, Maria Caramella, Nicole (Shawn Barnes) Caramella; grandchildren Alissa, Anna and Emma, and Sara Caramella, Orrin Parker, Nick Dishaw, and Kailey Barnes; and many nieces and nephews.

Special thanks to the wonderful staff at Safe Haven Assisted Living and Great Lakes Hospice, who cared for Edna with love and compassion.

Cremation has taken place and a private family memorial will be held in the spring according to Edna’s wishes. The family is being serviced by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes of Williamston, Michigan, www.grwilliamston.com.