Garon ‘Ronnie’ Hamari

Garon was born on Jan. 30, 1936, in Iron Mountain, the daughter of the late and great Earl and Frances (Pelot) Piper. She grew up with four sisters, Jean, Glory, Bonnie and Mary, and brother Bob, whom she loved dearly. Garon graduated from Kingsford High School in 1954 and married the dashing Roy Hamari a few years later. The two met picking cherries in Door County and soon after picked each other. As blushing newlyweds, they lived in West Allis, Wis., for a time, but the U.P. beckoned them back to their Michigan roots.

Back in Kingsford, Garon and Roy were blessed with five children, Michael, Joni, Mark, and Matt, as well as a second daughter, Julie, who passed away shortly after she was born. Garon made their busy house a home for her family and beyond: Any of the kids’ friends who needed a safe place to stay knew they could head to the Hamari house. That’s the kind of mom Garon was — kind, caring, and took no crap.

She wore many hats during her career and was a service-industry darling. From food service to housekeeping, Garon wasn’t afraid of the unglamorous jobs, and she worked hard. Before retiring, she and Roy ran and maintained the Kingsford Housing Commission. (Shout out to the unforgettable family get-togethers that took place in that Community Room — we shut it down quite a few times.)

Garon found joy in a lot of what this life has to offer: She loved playing cards with her gal pals, and dominated any slot machine she saddled up to. She was an expert puzzler and cow collector who occasionally enjoyed a chilled glass of Sunset Blush (no other boxed wine would do) while laughing at her loud and crazy family. A fantastically talented knitter and master of crochet, Garon whipped up intricate sweaters, afghans, and baby blankets like it was her job (it wasn’t, obviously — she did it for the love of the game). Garon was also known to make a mean pan of scrambled eggs, a beef stew that everyone loved, and a delectable apple pie. Her talents, it seemed, were boundless.

Garon will be remembered as a no-nonsense but incredibly loving mother, dedicated wife and a very cherished grandma. She was the kind of grandma who would have coffee with you before elementary school (it was the ’90s), and years later, call you out sick on Senior Skip Day.

Garon had a remarkably strong faith and love for the Lord. She was a believer, through and through, and her family and friends take great strength in knowing the Notorious G-A-R-O-N is looking down and lighting up the way for each of us. She’ll be missed for a long, long time.

Garon was preceded in death by her husband, Roy; baby daughter Julie; and her siblings.

She is survived by her four children, Michael (Gina), Joni, Mark (Kim), and Matthew; five granddaughters, Nicole, Jamie, Katie, Christina, and Allison; three great-granddaughters, Brooklynn, Ava, and Annie, and another on the way. She also had many special nieces and nephews.

Per Garon’s request, no services are scheduled. She would like you to remember her as she was — full of love and life and now living her best eternal life in Heaven.

Condolences may be expressed to the family of Garon Veronica “Ronnie” Piper online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.