Madonna Lois (Abbott) (Laverty) Palmer

Madonna Lois (Laverty) Palmer, 93, of  Houghton Lake passed away on Monday September 6, 2021 at Munson Hospital, Traverse City.

Madonna was born on March 14, 1928 in Houghton Lake, Michigan to Eany and Marie (Deshaw) Abbott. She grew up in the Houghton Lake area.  Desiring a Christian education, Madonna stayed with Genevieve and Vern Anderson during her four high school terms and graduated from Saint Mary Catholic High School in Bay City in 1946.  She then spent most all of her life at Houghton Lake.  She worked at many area businesses: 19 years at the Pines Theatre, also Carters grocery and State Farm Insurance office, to name a few.  She was married in 1947 to Max Laverty. Madonna later was married to Edward Palmer in 1990.  Madonna was a member of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church.  She loved to sing and dance, in the 60's and 70's she performed / competed with the Houghton Lake Chapter of Sweet Adelines. Also, was a current member of the Red Hats.  She was a founding member of the Houghton Lake Historical Village and served as the secretary for many years. She enjoyed playing cards, loved to cook, bake and  spend time with family and friends.

Surviving Mrs.Palmer are her three sons, Kim (Barbara) Laverty of Kalkaska, Tim (Ginger) Laverty of Stanwood, and Gary (Muriel) Laverty of Higgins Lake; five grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, two great great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and good friends Tom and Kandie; niece,  Margaret Jean Knapp; and granddaughter: Anastasia Laverty.  Madonna was preceded in death by her parents; son, Ronald Laverty; husbands, Max Laverty, and Edward Palmer; three sisters, Genevieve(Vern) Anderson, Margaret(George) Knapp, and Cecelia(Leo) Sharpe; two brothers, Bud(Gen) Oster, and Curt(Gertrude Laverty) Oster; and special friend, William "Bob" Parker. 

Mass of Christian Burial for Madonna Lois Palmer will be conducted at 11:00am Tuesday September 21, 2021 from Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church with Fr. Peter Eke officiating. Interment will be in Roscommon Township Cemetery, Houghton Lake. Visitation will be held on Tuesday September 21, 2021 from 9:30am until the time of the service at 11:00am at Our Lady of the Lake Church. Memorial contributions in memory of Madonna are asked to be directed to Our Lady of the Lake Catholic School. Christler Funeral Home, Houghton Lake Chapel is serving the family. Condolences can be sent to the family online at www.christler-holdship.com 

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