Gena D. Calkins

Eugena (Gena) Denise Calkins, 86 of Mancelona passed away April 5, 2023 at home.  She was born October 1, 1936 in Saginaw the daughter of Bradley and Dorothy (Gaertner) Cox.

   Gena was lovely and thoughtful and wrote handwritten thank you notes on a regular basis.  She enjoyed gardening, feeding and watching birds, quilting, and playing cards with her family and many Lakes of the North friends.  She loved spending time with her family, cooking and baking for them, and enjoying their company.  She was a long time Lakes of the North resident and editor of the L/N Little Notes Newsletter for many years.  She also loved her Golden Retriever, and beloved companion - Kasey. 

   Left to cherish her memory are her children Steve (Julie) Calkins of St. Joseph, Dave (Linda) Calkins of Brighton, Kathy (Matt) Morley of Midland, Tom (Amy) Calkins of Bloomfield, Mike (Tina) Calkins of Beaufort, SC, brothers Vin (Teri) Cox of Saginaw, Dan (Jeanine) Cox of Houston, TX, Tom (Tony) Cox of Saginaw, 9 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and her dog Kasey.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Clair, and daughter Sue.

   A Mass of a Christian Burial will be held Friday, April 14^th at 11:30 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Mancelona with the family receiving friends from 11:00 am until the time of service.  The family will also receive friends Thursday, April 13^th from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Mancelona Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.  A graveside service will be held Monday, April 17^th at 11 a.m. at St. Andrews Cemetery, Saginaw.

In Lieu of flowers, contributions to St. Anthony’s Catholic Church (PO BOX 677, Mancelona, MI  49659) and the American Bird Conservancy (4249 Loudoun Ave., The Plains, VA  20198) would be lovely.

   Please sign her online guestbook under Gena Calkins:   www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com