Julia May Keiper

JULIA M. VANARMAN KEIPERJulia May VanArman Keiper, age 97, of Marshall died Friday, June 30, 2006 at Tendercare of Marshall.Mrs. Keiper was born on August 13, 1908 in Clarence Township to Henry and Lillian May (Baker) Fisher. She was a life long resident of this area. Julia had been employed in the dietary departments, first at the old County Farm Home and then at the Morgan Medical Facility in Battle Creek. She retired in 1965. She had also worked at the Pickle Factory for many years.On August 9, 1927, she married Walter VanArman, they later divorced. She then married Andrew Keiper on February 27, 1965. He preceded her in death in 1972.Mrs. Keiper was a member of the Marshall Women of the Moose and a former member of the Marengo Extension Club. She enjoyed dancing. When her children were young, she would take them all to help pick strawberries in the large family strawberry patch. When they had picked enough, she would load the strawberries into her car and travel to Eaton Rapids to sell them to Miller''s Dairy to be used in the making of ice cream. She always returned with a special treat of cold ice cream for the children. Julia was a loving mother and grandmother and received special treatment from a special grandson.She is survived by daughters, Minnie Churchill Lusk of Marshall and Helen Cousino of Homer; son, Walter VanArman of Marshall; 16 grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by five brothers, Bruce, Fay, Ivan, David and Vincent; and two sisters, Hazel and Harriett.The family will receive friends at the Craig K. Kempf Funeral Home on Sunday afternoon from 1:00 to 3:00 and 5:00 - 7:00. A funeral service to remember and celebrate her life will be held 1:30 Monday, July 3, 2006 with Pastor Lee Winters officiating. Interment will follow in West Eckford Cemetery. Friends who wish may make memorial contributions to the Tendercare Residence Council. Assistance with memorials is available at the funeral home.