Zeta J. Hubbard

Cadillac - Zeta Jean Hubbard, longtime Northern Michigan resident passed away on Friday, February 21, 2025 at home with family by her side. She was 71.

Zeta was born to Willaim G. Lipke and Audrey E. (Hodge) Lipke on February 21, 1954. She was welcomed home by her older brothers Paul and Tom, and her older sister, Sue. Zeta went to Mesick High School and earned her GED after a busy life of raising children and working. She was employed by the Mitchell Corporation in Cadillac and another company in Benzie, Michigan for many years. Prior to that, Zeta began her work career at Caberfae Ski Resort when she was only 16. There she met Warren M. Ball, with whom she would spend 26 years together having a daughter together and raising his older children as her own. Warren would pass away on May 25, 2003.  Afterwards, she would meet Richard Hubbard, at Caberfae. They were wed on September 18th, 1999 in Cadillac at the Revival Center. Zeta and Richard were able to have 3 wonderful years together until cancer took him April 17th, 2003. Zeta would end her career at Caberfae at the age of 61, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Zeta enjoyed being with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren immensely. She never stopped thinking about them, asking about them, and praying for them. She loved when her kids and grandkids would call. Zeta also enjoyed attending church at the Revival Center with Pastor Markham. She enjoyed gardening, even though she would be the first to tell you that she did not in fact have her mother's “green thumb”.  Zeta crocheted blankets, and would sew outfits and costumes for her grandchildren. She was always too warm, which is why she always had shorts on. Cold hands, warm heart, and she had the biggest heart for those that she knew. Zeta loved animals, and growing up we had cats and dogs, but cats were her favorite.

She is survived by her daughters, Sheryl A. (Lipke) Gillespie and her husband, Michael; Jeannie A. (Ball) Hall and her husband, Gilbert; Gail A. Ball and her significant other, Donn Nadeau; son, James M. Ball and his wife Monica; grandchildren, Alan-Michael, Austin, Alyssa, Kristie, Amanda, Jessica, Kami, Marshall, J.W., D.J., and  Cordell; great-grandkids, Kendall, Alexander, Xavier, Paige, Owen, Aiden, Michael, and Aurora; one great-great-grandson, Griffin; a brother and sister-in-law, Thomas and Susan Lipke; sister, Sue (Lipke) Cook; nieces, JoEl  (Lipke) Linna, Roberta (Lipke) Wadle, Melissa Southern Bondy; nephews, Nathan Lipke and Paul K. Lipke; as well as many other loving family members and friends.

Zeta was preceded in death by her older sister, Debbie Lipke in infancy; her mother, Audrey Lipke; father, William Lipke; brother, Paul Lipke; and a niece, Amy (Lipke) Spoor.

Graveside committal services will be held to lay her urn to rest on Friday, May 23, 2025 at 3pm in Fernwood Cemetery in Dublin.

Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society in her name, otherwise just your presence is requested to honor Zeta.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family online at www.Hitesman-Holdship.com

The family is being served by the Hitesman-Holdship Funeral Home.  

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