Clint Sundstrom, a well-known retired Houghton businessman, died at home from cancer on November 6, 2018. Clint was born on August 3, 1942, in Bridgeport, Connecticut to Hilmer and Barbara Day Sundstrom. Clint spent his early years in Bridgeport.
He had fond memories of boating and clamming on the ocean with his grandfather, Bill Day. He also enjoyed his grandmother’s cooking. Clint moved to Jeffersontown, Kentucky, in 1952 with his family where he attended Eastern High School in Middletown.
He graduated from high school with the class of 1960. While living in Kentucky he was active in the Boy Scouts attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. During his scouting years he loved camping in the Kentucky woodlands including the Knobs region.
In 1960, after his graduation, Clint moved to Houghton to attend Michigan Tech where he studied marketing in the Business department. While at Michigan Tech Clint was on the yearbook staff and became president of his Delta Sigma Phi fraternity. While attending college Clint fell in love with the Upper Peninsula, both its climate and its people.
He never ceased being awed by the natural beauty of the Copper Country. In 1967, Clint partnered with Florence Shea and they operated the A&W Drive In in Ripley. Eventually Clint became its sole proprietor.
In 1982, Clint designed, built and operated the Station Restaurants in Houghton, which was home to the A&W, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Store Room Bar, and other restaurants. He went on to own and operate Clint’s Café in the Copper Country Mall. Clint also managed the Sears Catalog store in Houghton.
Lastly, Clint purchased the former Swift building in downtown Houghton, which he renovated and named The Market Place. Throughout his business career Clint gave many young people their first jobs. The training and job skills that Clint taught his employees served them well throughout their lives and careers.
Clint had a remarkable memory and rarely forgot the names, faces, and details of the lives of his former employees and friends. In his retirement years, Clint enjoyed gardening, building the interior of his retirement home, reading and making cheesecakes. He especially valued holiday and birthday gatherings with his children and grandchildren whom he loved very much.
Preceding Clint in death were his parents, Hilmer and Barbara Day Sundstrom and a nephew, Les Hinkle. Surviving are his children: Heath (Krissy) Sundstrom of Chassell; Jennifer (Jerry) Luoma of Houghton; Robert Sundstrom of Houghton; his beloved sister Sallie (Roger) Tyler of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky; mother of his children, Kathleen Shea Sundstrom; his grandchildren Jacob and Joshua Sundstrom, Ethan and Leo Luoma, Sheayla and Aamira Sundstrom; Kathleen’s sister, Nancy (Bill) Balma; nieces Kim (Paul) Buda, Susan Welter, Kim (John) Thomas, Beth (Greg) Joyce and their families; nephews Micheal (Barbara) Welter, Chris Hinkle, David Welter, Troy (Kim) Tyler and their families, his Aunt Muriel Hanford; and several cousins. Also surviving are his very special friend and companion Jane Elliott; longtime special friends Fred and Clare Gaff; and friend and helper Bill Wakeham.
The family wishes to thank the staff at UP Health System – Portage, and UP Health System – Portage Home Care and Hospice, for the wonderful care they provided Clint during the past month. Visitation will be held from 5:00pm until 7:00pm on Friday, November 16, 2018 at the O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home in Hancock. A Memorial Service will be held at the Grace United Methodist Church in Houghton, on Saturday, November 17 at 11:00 am with a luncheon to follow.
Pastor Chuck Williams will officiate.
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