JoAnne Kathryn (Cox-Kemppainen) Perrow

JoAnne Kathryn (Cox-Kemppainen) Perrow passed away in the early hours of August 14, 2021 at Aspirus Ontonagon Long Term Care where she was a resident since March 2020.

JoAnne was born July 21, 1938 and was the youngest child of Raymond and Jean (Baker) Cox of Greenland, MI. She graduated in June 1956 from the Mass High School and married the late Benharte Kemppainen on November  10, 1956. JoAnne and Benharte had 4 children from this union. After their separation, JoAnne later married Robert Perrow and welcomed her fifth child in March of 1969.

After her high school graduation, JoAnne worked at the White Pine Copper Mine where her bookkeeping career started. She continued to work full time while raising her children in the Marquette area and lower Michigan. She eventually settled in Mass City where she continued her career as a bookkeeper and dental assistant with Dr. John Sharkey. When the dental office closed, JoAnne began working in the billing department at the Ontonagon Memorial Hospital until her retirement.

JoAnne's greatest joy was her home and family. Christmas Eve was one of her happiest occasions. This is when she would have her children and grandchildren gathered in her home, surrounded by floor to ceiling gifts and large platters of their favorite foods. She enjoyed home decor as well as cooking, baking and preparing one of her many "Cool Whip" desserts... you never left her home with an empty stomach or without a container of something for later.

JoAnne was preceded in death by her father Raymond Cox, mother Jean Cox, sister Agnes (Wascher) Hautamaki, brother Billy Cox, an infant brother Samuel Cox and her beloved son Timothy Kemppainen.

She is survived by her daughters Bonnie (Chuck) Kemppainen-Maki and Bobi Jo (Derrick Juntti) Niemi, her sons Ben (Gaylynn) Kemppainen and Randy (Julia) Kemppainen, son in law Lorne Niemi, daughter in law Joan Kemppainen, sister Nancy Withrow, granddaughters Nicole (Matt) Kemppainen-Bell, Lindsay (Joseph Poirier) Kemppainen, Kelsey Kemppainen, Amanda Kemppainen, Paige Kemppainen, Jacee Juntti, grandsons Brian (Tracy) Kemppainen, Ben Kemppainen, Jordan Niemi, Ryan Kemppainen and Casey Kemppainen, great grandchildren Riley, RJ, Sophia, Haylee, Nathan, Benjamin, Abigail and Cortland as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A private family graveside service is planned for a later date.

The Cane Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

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