Obituaries

Sep 15, 2020

Mary Ellen St. Andre, age 65 of L'Anse, MI passed away on Tuesday, September 15, 2020 at Baraga County Memorial Hospital after a lengthy illness. She was born June 4, 1955 in L'Anse, MI daughter of Roland and Kathleen (Denomme) Huhtala. Mary graduated from L'Anse High School in 1973 and received a Bachelors degree from Northern Michigan University in...

Sep 12, 2020

Joyce Marilyn Taipalus, age 78 of L'Anse, MI passed away on Saturday, September 12, 2020 at U.P. Health System Marquette, MI. She was born October 9, 1941 in L'Anse, MI daughter of Edwin and Martha (Autio) Miilu. Joyce graduated from L'Anse High School in 1959. She married Edward Taipalus on August 12, 1961 in L'Anse. Joyce was a deputy...

Sep 4, 2020

Charles Milton Dean Jr., age 87 passed away on Friday, September 4, 2020 at Bayside Village in L'Anse, MI. He was born September 10, 1932 in Baltimore, MD son of Charles and Thelma (Keil) Dean. Chuck graduated from high school in Baltimore, and received a degree from Baltimore City College. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1952-1953 during...

Aug 27, 2020

On August 27, 2020 Jeanne Kathryn (Watters) Westrom of Skanee, Michigan passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by family, after a long illness. Jean was born in L’Anse, Michigan on September 25, 1933 to John “Bud” Watters and Gloria Helen Watters (Sicotte). She graduated from L’Anse High School in 1951, where she performed as drum majorette. At age 18,...

Aug 23, 2020

Michael John Shalifoe, age 57 of L'Anse, MI passed away on Sunday, August 23, 2020 at UP Health System Marquette, MI. He was born June 2, 1963 in Milwaukee, WI son of Richard and Louise (Arsenault) Shalifoe. Mickey graduated from L'Anse High School in 1981. He was a member of KBIC. Mickey liked to fish and hunt. Surviving are...

Aug 23, 2020

Janet Anne Tolonen, age 76 of Pelkie, MI passed away on Sunday, August 23, 2020 at her home. She was born July 17, 1944 in L'Anse, MI daughter of James and Anna (Seppanen) Peterson. Janet graduated from Baraga High School in 1962 and married Robert "Bob" Tolonen Sr. on September 22, 1962. She was a member of Mission United...

Aug 20, 2020

Betty J. Johnson, age 92 of L'Anse, MI passed away on Thursday, August 20, 2020 at Bayside Village in L'Anse. She was born July 20, 1928 in Milwaukee, WI daughter of Homer and Anna (Ross) Dault. Betty graduated from L'Anse High School. She married Emmett Johnson on May 24, 1947 in L’Anse, MI. Betty was a member of Schoolcraft Assembly...

Aug 20, 2020

Sharon Ann Niemi, age 77 of L'Anse, MI passed away on Thursday, August 20, 2020 at Baraga County Memorial Hospital. She was born August 5, 1943 in L'Anse, MI daughter of Melvin and Grace (Johnson) Reed. Sharon graduated from L'Anse High School in 1962 and married Gerald Niemi on June 16, 1962 United Lutheran Church. Sharon worked at Winkler's...

Aug 18, 2020

Betty Jane Saari, age 72 of Baraga, MI passed away peacefully at Baraga County Memorial Hospital on August 18, 2020. She was born July 26th, 1948 to Edward and Evelyn (Roberts) Schjoth in L'Anse, MI were she attended L'Anse School. She had lived in Arnheim, MI and then moved to Baraga, MI. Betty had been married to Earl LaFernier...

Aug 5, 2020

Irma Ingrid Marinich, age 90 of Skanee, MI passed away on Wednesday, August 5, 2020 at Baraga County Memorial Hospital. She was born March 11, 1930 in Hancock, MI daughter of Lauri and Mamie (Waisanen) Kilpela. Irma grew up in Aura and graduated from L'Anse High School in 1948. She married Raymond C. Marinich on january 28, 1950 in...

Jul 7, 2020

Frances Stelmaszek, age 73 of Baraga, MI passed away on Tuesday, July 7th, 2020 at Mission Point in Hancock, MI. Jacobson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Jul 4, 2020

Nicole “Nikki” Marie Rantanen, 32 was born in L’Anse August 19, 1987 and walked on unexpectedly on July 4, 2020. She is the daughter of Barbara Dakota and Randal Rantanen. Nikki graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 2006 alongside her twin sister and was employed through Mid-Michigan Industries. Nikki was a ray of sunshine who touched so many...

Jul 1, 2020

Edward Earl Gray Jr., age 52 of Baraga, MI passed away on Wednesday, July 1st, 2020 at Baraga County Memorial Hospital. He was born May 21, 1968 in Chicago, IL son of Edward Gray Sr. and Patricia (Crowder) Tuschen. Ed grew up in Chicago and moved to the L'Anse area in 2005. He did construction work most of his...

Jun 26, 2020

Susan Marie LaFernier, age 59 of L'Anse, MI passed away on Friday, June 26, 2020 at Baraga County Memorial Hospital. She was born August 6, 1960 in L'Anse, MI daughter of Terrence and Karolyn (Lucas) Reed. Susan graduated from L'anse High School in 1978, and married Dale LaFernier on May 27, 1978 in Baraga, MI. She received her LPN...

Jun 26, 2020

Lori Ann Nicklas, age 54 of Baraga, MI passed away on Friday, June 26, 2020 at U.P. Health System, Marquette, MI. She was born July 26,1965 in L'Anse, MI daughter of Paul and Phyllis (Ellenich) Maki. Lori graduated from Baraga High School in 1983. She married Scott Nicklas on December 19, 1987 at Most Holy Name of Jesus church in...

Jun 26, 2020

Elsie Anna Cadeau, age 98 a resident of Bayside Village and formerly of Alston MI passed away on June 26, 2020. Elsie also resided at Shulstad Leisure Living in Baraga for a few years after the death of her husband, Ed. . She was born December 3, 1921 in Pelkie, MI daughter to Henry and Anna Kemppainen. Elsie grew up...

Jun 23, 2020

Kimberly Jean Beaubien, age 58 of New Haven, MI passed away on Tuesday, June 23, 2020 at her father's home in Skanee, MI. She was born August 31, 1961 in Mount Clemens, MI daughter of Robert and Shirley (Jokella) Stoll. In 1979 Kim graduated high school in Clinton Twp., MI. She was in the U.S. Army from 1982-84 and...

Jun 21, 2020

Bernhard Charles “Butch” Makela, Jr. age 77 of Spartanburg County, SC died on June 21, 2020 in Lyman, SC.

Butch was born May 5, 1943 in Chicago, Illinois the first born son of Bernhard and Lucille (Olszak) Makela.  He served in the U.S. Army from March 1965-March 1967.

Surviving are his sister Mary Ann (Joseph)...

Jun 16, 2020

Margaret (Loonsfoot) Poleahla, age 75 of Falls Church, Virginia passed away on Tuesday, June 16, 2020 in Fairfax, VA. Margaret graduated from Negaunee High School. She retired from the Bureau of Indian Affairs after 41 years as a legislative Specialist. Margaret enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, Laryssa Wilkins and Guillermo Portillo, III of Falls Church,...

Jun 14, 2020

Eugene Paul Sullivan, age 61 of Covington, MI passed away on Sunday, June 14, 2020 at his home. He was born November 27, 1958 son of Gerald and Kay (Salonen) Sullivan. Gene graduated from L'Anse High School in 1976. He worked as an over the road truck driver until July 1988, when he became paralyzed as a result of...