Loretta Mae Hugo

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Loretta Mae Hugo, age 77, passed away on Sunday, October 6, 2013 at her home. She was born April 14, 1936 and was the daughter of John and Isabelle (Asher) Hugo. Loretta was a life-long resident of L'Anse, Michigan where she and husband, Richard Veker, Sr. worked and raised their family.

She is survived by their children, Elizabeth King, Catherine Eland, Richard Veker, Jr., Anthony Veker Sr., Donna Stump, and Jack Veker; eight grandchildren, Anthony Jr., James, Diana, and Leland Veker, Steven and Ryan Stump, John and Kevin Connolly; great grandson, Joshua Stump; and her brother, John Hugo, III. Loretta was predeceased by her parents, her son, Patrick John Veker, and siblings, Beatrice Mitchell, Shirley (Jessie) Knapp, and Lloyd Hugo.

In 1954 Loretta graduated from L'Anse High School, and went on to graduate from Haskell Indian Nations University. Loretta's professional career included working for the BIA Land Management, the payroll manager at Baraga County Memorial Hospital, and the Scholarship Director for the Michigan Indian Higher Education Association. In later years she worked for the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community as the Executive Assistant to the CEO and in the payroll department before retiring.

During retirement Loretta was an active volunteer. Loretta was notably a recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award for The President's Call to Service Award and a KBIC Honored Elder. She served as a board member for the Ojibwa Senior Citizens' Executive Board, KBIC Elections Board, KBIC Enrollment Board, Elderly Advisory Board for Language Program, and was an active member of the Michigan Indian Elder Association. She also enjoyed teaching Ojibwa language to pre-primary students. Her personal interests included golf, bowling, softball, playing bingo, and traveling.

Pubic visitation for Loretta Hugo will be from 11:00 to 1:00 on Saturday, October 12, 2013 at Jacobson's Funeral Home in L'Anse, Michigan. A funeral mass will be held at 2:00 at the Most Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in Assinins, Michigan, with Fr. Nick Thompson officiating; followed by a reception at the Ojibwa Senior Citizens' Building in Baraga, Michigan. Friends may sign Loretta's guestbook or send condolences at www.jacobsonfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, she requested that donations be sent in her name to Beacon House, 1301 N 3rd St., Marquette, MI 49855 or at www.upbeaconhouse.org.

Loretta's family expresses their heartfelt gratitude to her friends and the dedicated medical personnel who supported and cared for her during her cardiac rehabilitation. All who knew Loretta will remember her gregarious and vivacious spirit.