Edward Arnold Kaeding

He was born in Detroit to Edward William Kaeding and Lydia Arnold Kaeding. He spent his childhood in a Detroit neighborhood playing baseball, football and running around with a group of boys.

He had tremendous ties to the UP, specifically the Keeweenaw, on Gratiot lake, where later his aunt, Martha Arnold left him joint ownership in a camp on The lake. Dad spent his youth on Gratiot lake. All his cousins aunts and uncles were on the lake as he was related to the Petermann’s through his grandmother Caroline Petermann Arnold. His grandfather, Frederick Arnold was the minister of the Lutheran church in Laurium. He swam Gratiot lakes waters, hiked its creeks and fished its depths. He was an expert fisherman and later branched out to the big lake in search of deep water lake trout. But northern pike remained his favorite catch.

He entered the army right at the end of World War II. He was assigned to paratrooper school but only jumped a few times and boy was he glad because he said it was the “scariest “thing he’d ever done. When he got out he took advantage of the GI bill and attended Michigan State University and graduated with a degree in anthropology. He reenlisted in the air force reserves. When the Korean War started he was called to active duty. He was stationed in Washington DC where he wrote propaganda to drop behind enemy lines. He was a commissioned officer with the rank of captain. After the war he went to work at Michigan Bell telephone company where he retired as a district manager.

He met and married his wife, Carole M. Kaeding, while at the telephone company.

Our dad spent his retirement full time at Gratiot lake after they winterized the camp. He enjoyed being out on Gratiot Lake and Lake Superior. The camp was kept in pristine condition. We enjoyed many summer activities with our families under dad and Carole’s hospitality.

Dad and Carole bought an island retirement home in Hawaii where dad would winter while Carole ran her business, Gratiot Lake Basketry, in Mohawk until her retirement. They chose to live in Hawaii and were quite active going to various beaches, 4 wheeling and getting to know the island for many years. Dad kept his yard beautifully in Hawaii also.

Our dad, Edward Kaeding was old school. He was real man. He commanded respect. Many a summer was spent up at the lake working on the camp. He was tough but he taught integrity and work ethic. He taught us to take care of what we have. He loved us dearly. We were lucky to have him as long as we did. Our love for the Keweenaw is an integral part of our love for our father. His heart always remained in the Keweenaw. He was a “Yooper” through and through.

Dad you will be greatly missed.

Love you until eternity. Your loving daughters, Barbara Ann Vasseur & Caroline E. Kaeding.