Florence M. (Kemppainen) Kangas

Florence (Kemppainen) Kangas, age 89, of Kalamazoo (formerly Cheboygan), Michigan, passed away suddenly on September 07, 2023.

She was born on June 9, 1934, in Lake Mine, Michigan to Edward Kemppainen and Ailie (Mattson) Kemppainen. After graduating from Mass High School, Florence spent the summer working in Milwaukee, WI to save money before her wedding to her high school sweetheart, Lawrence Kangas. They were married in Mass City in September 1953. They settled in Greenland where Florence helped Lawrence run the financial side of his milk route, and she did a great job of running the family’s household.

They relocated the family to Cheboygan, MI in 1966 after Lawrence changed jobs. Upon retirement, Lawrence and Florence spent many years wintering in Gulf Shores, AL while maintaining their primary residence in Cheboygan. They also spent time at the family farm in Mass City. In November 2018, Lawrence and Florence relocated to Kalamazoo, Michigan.

In Cheboygan, Florence raised her 5 children with love. Often taking them to Duncan Bay to swim, she always worked hard to provide the family with a daily hot dinner. She loved to make fresh baked goods for the family to enjoy. Florence worked for the local election board, and she shined while playing on the women’s golf league. She loved to plant her small gardens with summer flowers and was proud of her beautiful lilac bush.

Florence believed in recycling and yet loved her burn barrel. She was handy with a paint brush and wallpaper. When Lawrence was out of town for work, Florence would surprise Lawrence with a freshened-up room with a new look. She and Lawrence enjoyed traveling together to places such as Finland, New York City, Acapulco, Alaska, Arizona, Las Vegas and Alabama just to name a few. Florence loved to play cards with Lawrence and their friends. She had fierce competition of girls against the guys. She also loved to win at cribbage.

Florence was preceded in death by her husband Lawrence. She is survived by her five children Christine (Dean) Miars, Laureen (Mark) Bulovic, Dan (Kathy) Kangas, Judy (Kurt) Salters, and Sam Kangas; nine grandchildren Jennifer Schroeder, Sara Marx, Kathryn Jones, Thomas (Erina) Cross, Hanna Kangas, Jake Kangas, Cora Kangas, Emma Kangas, and Eli Kangas; and three great-grandchildren Sarah Jones, Schylar and Rosie Cross. Florence also leaves behind her sister Helen Johnson and brother Ry Kemppainen; sever in-laws Edward (Nancy) Kangas, Joan Johnson, Midred (Charlie) Holmstrom, John (Clara) Kangas, and Dave Kangas. She was preceded in death by her parents, stepfather Marvin Mattson, and brother Ben Kemppainen.

Langeland Funeral Home in Kalamazoo is handling cremation arrangements and a memorial gathering will be graveside at the Greenland Cemetery on Saturday September 30, 2023, at 1 PM. Memorial may be given to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Mass City, Michigan. Please visit Florence’s personalized webpage to share condolences and memories at https://www.Langelands.com