Obituaries

May 9, 2017

Gale David Harkonen, 64, passed away on Tuesday, May 9, 2017 in St. Petersburg, FL.

He was born in Hancock, MI to Taisto and Ethel (Maki) Harkonen on June 19, 1952.  Gale went to school in L’Anse, and graduated from Northern Michigan University.  He loved volunteering at the Dali Museum and St. Anthony’s Hospital.

Gale...

Apr 12, 2017

Herman Kinnunen, age 89 of Watton, MI passed away on Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at his home. He was born February 20, 1928 at the family home in Watton, son of John and Maria Kinnunen. Herman graduated from L’Anse High School in 1947. On June 1, 1971, he married the former Jannetta Doers. Herman worked for the Forest Service...

Apr 9, 2017

JoAnne Reneé Racette (Makade-Gaagaagiw`ikwe), age 64 of L’Anse, MI began her new journey while surrounded by her children, on Sunday, April 9, 2017. Daughter of Ferdinand “Charles” and Elizabeth “Liz” Genschow; sister of Robert (Gladys) Genschow, Debra Parrish, Darlene Genschow, Garen (Rob) Waterbury, and Kent Kruse. JoAnne is a member of Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and in her youth, she...

Apr 3, 2017

Mark David Richard, 63, of L’Anse, died peacefully Monday, April 3, 2017 at his home with his family by his side. He was born June 29, 1953 in Toledo, Ohio, a son of the late Ellsworth and Donna (Pelky) Richard. Mark worked for Traverse City Packing and as a home builder before moving his family in 1991 to L’Anse where...

Mar 30, 2017

Evelyn Marie Corgan, 84, of Skanee, died peacefully Thursday morning, March 30, 2017, in Florence, Wisconsin. She was born December 30, 1932 in Herman, Michigan, a daughter of the late Eino J. and Sadie S. (Keranen) Koski. She was raised in Herman and L'Anse and was a 1950 graduate of L’Anse High School. Evelyn moved to the Detroit area...

Mar 29, 2017

Viola M. Peterson, 83, of L’Anse, died peacefully, Wednesday, March 29, 2017 at her daughter’s home surrounded by her loving family. She was born May 11, 1933 in Negaunee, a daughter of the late John and Exilda (LaJoye) Arsenault. Viola married Ronald “Pete” E. Peterson on May 30, 1951 at St. Paul’s Church in Negaunee. They met in 1950 at...

Mar 23, 2017

Bonnie Faye (Knapp) Kirschner, 49, of Escanaba passed away while surrounded by family on March 23, 2017, at University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor, MI, following a brief illness. After attempting to make her debut to the world near the monkey cage at the Brookfield Zoo, Bonnie was born in Berwyn, Illinois, on March 26, 1967, the daughter...

Mar 12, 2017

Edwin “Eddie” Thomas Risku, age 62 of Watton, MI passed away on Sunday, March 12th, 2017 at Baraga County Memorial Hospital. He was born September 12, 1954 in L’Anse, MI son of the late Isaac Hjalmer and Martha (Franti) Risku. Eddie graduated from L’Anse High School in 1973. He worked with Risku Brothers Forest Products from 1973-96, then GDE...

Mar 11, 2017

Wesley H. Kemppainen, age 92 of Alston, MI passed away on Saturday, March 11, 2017 at his home with his family by his side. Wesley was born June 8, 1924 in Laird Twp, MI son of Henry and Anna Kemppainen. He attended Giddings and Laird Schools. Wesley worked as a logger for many years and then for White Pine Mine...

Feb 27, 2017

Mary E. Kemppainen, age 95 of L’Anse, MI passed away on Monday, February 27, 2017 at Bayside Village in L’Anse. She was born May 18, 1921 in L’Anse, MI daughter of John and Margaret (Severenski) Sterbenz. Mary graduated from L’Anse High School in 1938. On September 20, 1943, she married Donald Kemppainen in L’Anse. Mary was a member of Sacred...

Jan 27, 2017

Elizabeth Catherine Alatalo, age 87 of Baraga, MI passed away on Friday, January 27, 2017 at Baraga County Memorial Hospital. She was born December 9, 1929 in Baraga, MI daughter to Joseph and Eliza (Foucault) Vizina. Elizabeth graduated from Baraga High School in 1947. She married Arvi Alatalo on July 16, 1949 in Baraga. Elizabeth was a member of St....

Jan 27, 2017

Lawrence “Oscar” Denomie, Jr., age 87, of Baraga, MI, passed away at his home on Friday, January 27, 2017, in the arms of his loving daughter and caretaker, Debbie. He was born July 19, 1929, in Michigamme, MI, the son of Lawrence and Leona (LaCosse) Denomie. Lawrence attended school in Baraga. He was a Corporal in the US Army from...

Jan 24, 2017

Michele Virginia Younggren, age 46 of Baraga, MI passed away on Tuesday, January 24th, 2017 at U.P. Health System, Marquette, MI. She was born February 27, 1970 in L’Anse, MI daughter of Donald and Karen (Collier) Vizina. Michele graduated from Baraga High School in 1988 and then attended Central Michigan University. In 1995 Michele began in selling real estate and...

Jan 20, 2017

Matthew Marcus Osterman, age 19 of Pequaming, MI passed away unexpectedly on Friday, January 20, 2017 in Marquette, MI. He was born October 14, 1997 in Hancock, MI son of G. Patrick and Lora (Westberg) Osterman. Matt graduated from L’Anse High School in 2015 and was currently a sophomore at Northern Michigan University in Marquette. While in high school...

Jan 15, 2017

Dale Girard "Bo" LeClaire, 72 of Fort Worth, Texas died unexpectedly at his home on January 15, 2017. Dale was born February 8, 1944 in Baraga, Michigan, son of Clifford and Loretta LeClaire. Dale attended Baraga schools and started working at a young age. He joined the Army National Guard and served for 6 years. While residing in Baraga County,...

Jan 11, 2017

Richard Bruce Francois, 86, of L’Anse, died peacefully, Wednesday, January 11, 2017 at Baraga County Memorial Hospital. Richard Bruce Francois was born April 26, 1930, in Appleton Wisconsin, son of Joseph and Gladys Francois. While still young his family moved to Pequaming, Michigan. He spent his days playing with friends, attending the one-room school house, trapping and befriending animals,...

Jan 6, 2017

Marc Thomas (Schefke) Kanasty, age 54 of Pelkie, MI passed away on Friday, January 6, 2017 at U P Health System in Marquette, MI from health complications. Marc was born May 19, 1962 in Ferndale, MI son of Judy (Russell) and Ken Kanasty of Troy and the late Ronald Schefke. Marc grew up in Royal Oak and Troy. He graduated...

Jan 5, 2017

Dr. Calvin North Waisanen DDS, age 72 of Houghton, MI passed away on Thursday, January 5, 2017 at University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor, MI. He was born November 26, 1944 in Hancock, MI son to Dr. Carl and Dora (Koski) Waisanen. Calvin graduated from Dollar Bay High School in 1962, received a bachelor degree from NMU, a master’s...

Jan 3, 2017

Paula Jean Rantanen, age 56 of Baraga, MI passed away on Tuesday, January 3, 2017 at U P Health System Marquette, MI. Paula was born February 15, 1960 in L’Anse, MI daughter to George and Betty (Barbano) Rantanen. She attended school in L’Anse and Baraga where she graduated High School and then attending Suomi College. In 1988 Paula began...

Jan 1, 2017

Beverly Jane Cavnaugh, age 89 of L’Anse MI passed away on Sunday, January 1, 2017 at Bayside Village in L’Anse. She was born April 10, 1927 in Pontiac, MI daughter of Earl and Clernia (Moore) Chevalier. Beverly resided in L’Anse for the past 40 years. She was married to Kenneth Ellenich and later married Walter “Savy” Cavnaugh. Beverly worked as...