Margaret Faye Kowalkowski

Margaret Faye Kowalkowski, age 75, of Manistee, Michigan, passed away surrounded by family Saturday night, December 14, 2024 at her home. She had a brief but hard-fought struggle with illness that took her life too soon.

She was born on April 18, 1949 in Muskegon, Michigan the daughter of the late Vernon and Mary Ann (Fitch) Brushman. Margaret married Charles “Chuck” Kowalkowski on July 20, 1989 in Grand Haven, Michigan. They had lived in Muskegon, Michigan most of their life, until moving to Manistee in 2017 to make their home. Margaret was a licensed beautician trained by Peggy White beauty academy who then went on to own and operate her own beauty salon called “Trendsetters” in Muskegon, as well as having worked in other beauty salons in the Muskegon area during her working career. Margaret enjoyed playing bingo, as well as playing the odds and winning big and socializing with her many friends and family at the Little River Casino in Manistee. She also loved putting puzzles together, playing Yahtzee and stopping at second-hand stores to add to her treasures. She attended Lakeshore church of Manistee regularly and was a commissioner on the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians Housing Commission.

Margaret is survived by her husband, Charles “Chuck” Kowalkowski of Manistee, MI, her daughter and son in-law, Tonya and Mark Drum of Muskegon, MI, her son Dustin Curtis of Manistee, MI, three grandchildren, Caitlyne (John) Moak, Shane Drum, and Adam Drum, her great grandchildren, Caleb and Jaxson Moak, three sisters and a brother in-law, Margery and Terry Lutz of Grand Haven, MI, Judith Nedeau of Muskegon, MI, and Cynthia Lobdell of White Cloud, MI, her sister in-law, Cheryl Brushman of Grand Rapids, MI, and her special niece, Detra Kelsey of Manistee, MI. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Vernon and Mary Ann Brushman, her sister and two brother in-law, Joyce and Kenneth Morrison and James Nedeau, and by her brothers, Lester, Chester and Clifford Brushman. 

In Margaret’s honor, family and friends will gather at the Aki Maadiziwin Community Center at 2953 Shaw Be Quo-Ung Road, Manistee on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 12:00 noon for a luncheon hosted by Lakeshore church with Pastor Philip officiating ceremonies.

The Herbert Funeral Home of Manistee is in charge of funeral arrangements.