CariAnne Jeffers-Wcisel

CariAnne Jeffers-Wcisel, 49, of Petoskey, Michigan returned to the arms of our Lord Jesus on July 16, 2025, after a valiant battle with metastatic triple negative breast cancer.

She was born on March 11, 1976, in Gaylord, Michigan to Curtis Robert and Marie (Latuszek) Jeffers, the fourth of six children.

She graduated valedictorian from Gaylord St. Mary Cathedral High School in 1994, received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Michigan in 1998, and her Master of Science from Central Michigan University in 2002.  She was a Certified Physician Assistant, working in family practice at the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Health Clinic in Petoskey for her entire 24-year medical career, providing excellent, caring attention to her patients.

Cari married Ryan Wcisel, the love of her life, on August 16, 2003 at the Cross in the Woods Shrine, in a beautiful outdoor ceremony.  Nothing gave her greater joy, and made her more proud, than the children they welcomed to their family, Breanna and Trent.  Her Catholic faith was number one in her life, but her family was an indistinguishable second.  Their beloved English Cream Retriever, Piper, rounds out the Wcisel family, and was Cari’s faithful companion.

Cari was known for her big, warm smile, kindness, and hospitality.  She was always the one to ask how she could be of help in any situation.  She was the kind of person who made everyone she interacted with feel special, and she was the most thoughtful and generous gift giver.  Providing food (lots of delicious food!) was one of the practical ways she extended her love to others.

She was the fun-bringer, the one who frequently broke out into song, the one who encouraged dance parties in the kitchen, the one who initiated games at family parties.  She loved music and had a playlist that included everything from Frank Sinatra to Shaboozey.  She was an avid reader, and enjoyed gardening, her evening tea, and the sweet birds outside her kitchen window.  She was always prepared for anything, which necessitated packing their vehicle to overflowing for trips to Grand Marais or Anna Maria Island.  She kept an immaculate home and made each holiday special with decorations that contributed to its coziness.

Cari’s legacy is one of selflessness, faithfulness, and love.  From the beginning of her cancer journey she assured her loved ones that, “God’s got this,” and she never lost her faith.  Now God’s got HER.

Cari was preceded in death by her father, Curtis Robert Jeffers, and grandparents, Stanley and Stella Latuszek, and Curt and Motty Jeffers.

She is survived by her husband, Ryan, and their children Breanna and Trent; her mother, Marie Jeffers; her five siblings, Julie (Tom) VanderMeulen, Jim (Jennifer) Jeffers, Craig (Lindsay) Jeffers, Brad (Kristin) Jeffers, and Brian (Katie) Jeffers; her parents-in-law, Jerry and Marilyn Wcisel; her sisters-in-law, Heidi (Dean) McClenaghan, and Amy Lowry; her nieces and nephews - Eli, Analee, Olivea (Liam and Ilah), Kinzie, Brody, Kaylee, Hattie, Michael, Leo, Felix, Brock, Gavin, Finn, River, Abby, Cassie, David, and Liam, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

The family will greet visitors at Stone Funeral Home in Petoskey on Sunday, July 20, 2025, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Cross in the Woods Shrine in Indian River on Monday, July 21, 2025, at 1:00 pm, Father Patrick Maher as celebrant, with visitation one hour prior.  Cari will be laid to rest at Greenwood Cemetery in Petoskey immediately following.

Memorial donations in CariAnne’s name may be made to Cross in the Woods Shrine.

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