Obituaries
Deborah Lynn Bengry
Jun 4, 2025
Deborah Lynn Bengry, age 73, of Baraga, Michigan, passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday, June 4th, 2025.
Deborah was born on November 21st, 1951, in L'Anse, Michigan, the daughter of George and Diane DeCota. She graduated from Marquette Senior High School in 1970 and went on to earn an Associate Degree from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 1973,...
Kenneth Robert Ripley Sr.
May 30, 2025
Kenneth Robert Ripley Sr., age 70 of L'Anse, Michigan passed away on Friday, May 30th, 2025 at home.
He was born March 11th, 1955 in Flint, MI son of Henry and Doris Ripley. Ken grew up in Flint and moved to the L'Anse in 1989. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and loved the U. P.
Surviving are his children, Jim (Abbie)...
Shirley Anne Wanhaaho
May 28, 2025
Shirley Anne Wanhaaho, age 79, of Elo, Michigan, passed away unexpectedly at her home on Wednesday, May 28, 2025.
Shirley was born on February 14, 1946, in L'Anse, Michigan, to Donald and Milga (Maki) Parkila. She graduated from Baraga High School in 1964 and later earned a certificate in Dietary Nutrition from Auburn University. On November 1, 1993, she married Keith...
Denise Theresa Maki
May 19, 2025
Denise Theresa Maki, age 67, of L'Anse, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 19, 2025, at Bayside Village in L'Anse.
Denise was born on October 20, 1957, in L'Anse, the beloved daughter of Mervin and Normandine (Boyer) LaFernier. On September 17, 1977, she married the love of her life, Daniel Maki, in Keweenaw Bay, Michigan. Denise dedicated 26 years of...
Chad Eric Tollefson
May 17, 2025
Chad Eric Tollefson, age 50, of L'Anse, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 17, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Born on July 18, 1974, in L'Anse, Chad was the beloved son of Garry and Helen (LaFernier) Tollefson. He graduated from L'Anse High School in 1992. Over the years, he worked at the Baraga Drive-In for 15 years and...
Gerald Paul Niemi
May 15, 2025
Gerald P. Niemi, age 59, of L'Anse, Michigan, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Thursday, May 15, 2025.
Gerald was born on September 9, 1965, in L'Anse to Gerald and Sharon (Reed) Niemi. He graduated from L'Anse High School in 1984 and went on to earn his certification in Heavy Equipment Service Technology from Northern Michigan University in 1985.
During his...
Helen A. Nelson
Apr 25, 2025
Helen Aurora Maki Nelson passed away at Omega House in Houghton on April 25, 2025 Helen was born in L'Anse January 25, 1945, and attended school in Arvon Township and L'Anse.
Helen married Roy Allen Nelson in L'Anse. They had two children, Roy Allen Nelson of Detroit, Michigan, and Sarah (Keisuke) Hinokio of Nagoya, Japan, and grandchild, Taylor Nelson.
Helen...
Frederick Donald Shelifoe
Apr 21, 2025
Frederick Donald Shelifoe, age 82, of Baraga, Michigan, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, April 21, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.
Fred was born on June 22, 1942, in Beartown, Michigan, the son of Richard and Sarah (Whetung) Shalifoe. A proud graduate of Baraga High School, Class of 1964, he later earned a Bachelor of Science in Political Science...
Micheal Victor Laakko
Apr 11, 2025
Rev. Micheal Victor Laakko, age 76, of Mass City Michigan, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 11, 2025, at Baraga County Memorial Hospital in L'Anse Michigan, surrounded by the love of his family.
Micheal was the long-answered prayer of his parents Vera and Emil Laakko. As a child his first faith lessons were on the lap of a mother who...
Elizabeth Y. Jacobson
Apr 6, 2025
Elizabeth Y. Jacobson, age 87, of Baraga, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 6, 2025, at Marshfield Medical Center Dickinson in Iron Mountain, Michigan after a brief illness.
Elizabeth was born on September 30, 1937, in Crossett, Arkansas, the daughter of Albin and Christine (Hendrix) Jacobson. She spent five formative years in the Philippines, where she attended an American school,...
Bill Lee Funke Sr.
Apr 2, 2025
Bill Lee Funke Sr., 74, of L'Anse, MI, passed away peacefully on April 2, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Born on November 6, 1950, in L'Anse, he was the son of the late Robert and Agnes (Broemer) Funke.
He was a graduate of Baraga Schools and earned an associate degree in Criminal Justice.
Bill had a diverse and hardworking...
Eila Koski
Apr 1, 2025
Eila Koski, 94, of Aura, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at U.P. Health Portage in Hancock, MI, surrounded by her loving family.
Born on October 30, 1930, in Aura, MI, Eila was the daughter of Arne and Sylvia (Lampinen) Kilpela. She graduated from L'Anse High School in 1948 and married the love of her life, Roy Koski,...
Robert Carl "Andy" Anderson
Mar 31, 2025
Robert Carl "Andy" Anderson, 88, passed away peacefully on March 31, 2025, at Marshfield Medical Center in Iron Mountain, MI, surrounded by his children.
Andy was born on January 12, 1937, in Hancock, MI, the son of Wallace L. and Ethel G. (Stoddard) Anderson. He grew up with six siblings, all of whom preceded him in death, and graduated from Houghton...
Clifford William Nankervis Sr.
Mar 27, 2025
Clifford William Nankervis, 83, of Skanee, Michigan, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, March 27, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.
Born on February 13, 1942, in L'Anse, Michigan, Clifford was the son of William and Gertrude (Toyras) Nankervis. He graduated from L'Anse High School in 1959 and married the love of his life, Dorothy LeRue, on January 6,...
Lorraine Selene Bonini
Mar 21, 2025
Lorraine Selene Bonini age 74, of Houghton, Michigan, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, March 21, 2025.
Born on October 8, 1950, in Hancock, Michigan, Lorraine was the beloved daughter of Ambrose "Jiggs" and Olga (Kangas) Bonini. She graduated from Hancock High School before pursuing a career as a cost accountant in Chicago, Illinois. It was there that she...
Barbara Theresa Fish
Mar 19, 2025
Barbara Theresa Fish, age 87 of Baraga, Michigan passed away on Wednesday, March 19th, 2025 at Baraga County Memorial Hospital.
She was born January 15, 1938 in Allouez, MI daughter of Joseph and Florence Mahr. Barbara graduated from Calumet High School. She worked at Northwestern Mutual Insurance in Milwaukee, WI where she met her husband Donald Fish; they wed on...
Margaret Mary Mleko
Mar 17, 2025
Margaret Mary Mleko, known as "Maggie" age 76, of Baraga, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 17, 2025, at her home, surrounded by her family.
Margaret was born on April 20, 1948, in Portland, MI, to Louis and Theresia (Bengel) Spitzley. On January 15, 1966, she married her high school sweetheart Joseph Mleko at St. Patrick's Church in Portland, MI....
Marie Elena Scheiding
Mar 3, 2025
Marie Elena Scheiding, 66, of Baraga, MI, passed away on Monday, March 3, 2025, at Medilodge in Munising, Michigan.
Marie was born on February 26, 1959, in Wakefield, MI, to James and Eleanor (Nelson) Madden. She grew up in the Upper Peninsula and graduated from Ewen-Trout Creek High School. Throughout her life, she lived in Trout Creek and Eagle River, working...
Ann Irene Marttila
Feb 22, 2025
Ann Irene Marttila, 88, passed away peacefully on February 22, 2025, at Bayside Village Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in L'Anse, Michigan, after a long and courageous battle with dementia.
Born on June 6, 1936, in Covington, Michigan, Ann spent most of her life in her beloved hometown, where she raised her family and remained close to her sisters. She was a...
Allen Keith Cheney
Feb 20, 2025
Allen Keith Cheney, age 77, of Marquette, Michigan, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, February 20, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.
Born on January 5, 1948, in Lewistown, Pennsylvania, Keith was the son of Lawrence and Ruth (Patterson) Cheney. He graduated from Chief Logan High School in 1965 and went on to earn a Bachelor's degree from Shippensburg State...
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