Florence Gouin

Alma Florence Kristina Gouin (Kemppainen), passed on September 17, 2021, in Dearborn, Michigan, at the age of 101.

 She was born to Erick and Alma (Hilberg) Kemppainen on December 6, 1919, in Keweenaw Bay, Michigan. Growing up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan she became the eldest of 6 after the death of an older brother and sister. We believe all her siblings have preceded her in death.

Florence is survived by two daughters, Beverly Jean Sparks (Wallace) and Barbara Janet Goode (William); four grandchildren, Christine Henry (Terry), Erika DeVos (Brock), Jennifer Thomas (Adam) and Brent Goode (Mindy); and nine great grandchildren, Allen, Julia, Brooke, Kristen, Annika, Isabel, Eve, Amber and Emily.

At age 18 Florence and three girlfriends moved to Detroit to find work. Florence worked in the dietary department of St. Luke’s Hospital. At a dance on Belle Isle she met George H. Gouin. They dated and were married on November 5, 1938. She was a devoted Mother who taught her daughters to read before they entered kindergarten, volunteered for countless school projects, and served as a P.T.A. Officer. When her daughters were older she worked at Sears behind the stamp and coin collector’s counters. Florence and George raised their daughters in the United Methodist Church. Florence was a lifetime member of the United Methodist Woman. The church welcomed her many talents from making quilts for raffles, organizing rummage sales, and preparing Communion. She and George later moved to the Aplstolic Lutheran Church where her Finnish heritage was recognized, including conducting services in Finnish. She served as Ladies Aide Treasure for many years and was a core member of the froup that made Finnish pasties as a fund raiser. In later years Florence enjoyed many holiday gatherings and dinners with her family and close friends.

Florence perfectly embodied the Finnish concept of sisu with determination, persistence, endurance, hard work, and putting family first.

Visitation for Florence will be 5:00 – 8:00 pm Monday, September 20, 2021.

Family and friends will celebrate her life 1:00 pm Tuesday, September 21, 2021, at Thayer-Rock Funeral home.

Interment will be at Glen Eden Memorial Park in Livonia where she will be buried beside her husband of 55 years, George Gouin.

Donations may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association.