Gloria J. Kossow

Gloria Jean Kossow, age 67, of Bark River, passed away Monday evening, April 15, 2019 at OSF St. Francis Hospital in Escanaba, surrounded by family after a long battle with pancreatic and liver cancer. She was born on October 29, 1951 in Marquette, MI, the daughter of Charles and Stella (Baker) Bivens. Gloria grew up in Deerton, MI and moved to Escanaba in 1965 where she was a 1967 graduate of Escanaba High School. The former Gloria Jean Bivens married the love of her life, Matthew Kossow “Beaver” on April 10, 1969 in Grand Rapids, MI. Together, the couple shared 50 years of marriage and raised 2 sons, Matthew, Jr. and Michael. Gloria founded the Health Way Nutrition Center in Escanaba where she owned and operated the business for many years. One of her greatest achievements was going back to school and receiving a Bachelors Degree in Social Work. Gloria was employed by the State of Michigan for MDHHS until having to take medical retirement. She was an avid Detroit Lions fan and also enjoyed baking and giving her homemade sweets to family and friends. Gloria was strong in her faith as a member of the Munising Seventh Day Adventist Church.

Gloria Jean Kossow is survived by her husband, Matthew Kossow, Sr. of Bark River; sons, Matthew (fiancé Angela) Kossow, Jr. of Gladstone, and Michael (Sherry) Kossow of Perkins; grandchildren, Cassandra (Nick) Badham of Big Lake, MN, and Marcus (Janet) Kossow of Hannahville; sisters, Eunice (Jim) Schwake of Escanaba, Christine (Howard) Mannisto of Au Train, MI, Minnie Barnes of West Olive, MI, Nancy Ketchum of Dowagiac, MI, and Charlotte Bivens of Grand Rapids, MI; brother, Ken (Becki) Bivens of Hastings, MI; special friend and telephone buddy, Elaine Erickson; and many wonderful nieces and nephews – especially the Schwake kids as she loved them all dearly.

In addition to her parents, Gloria was preceded in death by her brothers, Ernest and Gordon Bivens.

Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Friday, April 19, 2019 at the Anderson Funeral Home in Escanaba. Funeral services celebrating the life of Gloria will follow at 4:00 p.m., Friday, in the Anderson Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Jimmy Schwake officiating. A luncheon will be served at the conclusion of the services at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Escanaba. Burial will take place in Fernwood Cemetery. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gloria J. Kossow, please visit our floral store.