A Home Built with Love: One Northern Michigan Family's Flood Recovery Story

When John first brought his new wife, Lisa, to Black Lake after they were married, she fell in love with Northern Michigan almost instantly. 

"We're moving up here," she told him. "One way or another, we're moving here." 

She meant it. 

Originally from Detroit, John had been coming to Black Lake since 1964, when his father purchased a nearby cottage. Over the years, it became more than a favorite getaway—it became home. Twenty-two years ago, John and Lisa made it official, leaving Southeast Michigan behind for the place they loved most. 

"I didn't want to go back to the big city anymore," John said. 

Together, they spent nearly four decades making their house uniquely theirs. Lisa was remarkably talented and endlessly creative. She sewed the custom curtains that hung throughout the home, designed intricate woodworking details and sketched the beautiful mantel that John built by hand. While John handled the construction, Lisa supplied the vision, transforming the house - one project at a time. 

"When I'd come home on the weekends," John recalled, "I never knew what to expect." 

Every room reflected their partnership—and the life they built together. 

After 43 years of marriage, John lost Lisa to dementia in July 2025. Less than a year later, he faced another unimaginable loss. 

Historic Flooding Brings New Heartbreak 

When historic flooding swept across Northern Michigan in April 2026, John watched helplessly as the water continued to rise. 

"You keep thinking, 'It's going to stop there,'" he said. "Then it comes a little higher. The water's up against the house...and it just keeps coming." 

More than 13 inches of water filled the home for seven days. The custom curtains Lisa had sewn were ruined. Furniture had to be discarded. Floors buckled, drywall was removed and appliances were destroyed. Even the handcrafted details that made the house feel like Lisa were damaged or lost. 

"Everywhere I looked, there was a memory," John said. 

Although neighbors and volunteers rallied to help, recovery has taken months. Finding contractors has been difficult because many were already committed to other projects when the flooding occurred, leaving homeowners across Cheboygan, Emmet and Presque Isle counties waiting even longer to begin rebuilding. 

Insurance covered little of John's losses, forcing him to rely on retirement savings to restore the home he and Lisa built together.  

Help Northern Michigan Families Continue Rebuilding 

While the floodwaters have receded, recovery is far from over for families across Northern Michigan. 

The Salvation Army's Flood Relief Fund for Our Northern Michigan Neighbors continues to provide financial assistance to flood survivors, like John, facing repair costs, housing needs and other expenses not covered by insurance. 

Now, every gift goes even further. 

Thanks to a generous dollar-for-dollar matching grant from the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation, donations will be matched, up to $100,000. 

For neighbors like John, every dollar represents more than financial assistance—it represents hope. It helps preserve homes filled with memories, supports families rebuilding after unimaginable loss and reminds Northern Michigan residents they are not facing recovery alone. 

Donate today to The Salvation Army's Flood Relief Fund for Our Northern Michigan Neighbors and help us unlock the final $18,000 of this matching opportunity while every gift is doubled.