All Obituaries

Barbara Jean Brodbeck, age 89, formerly of Keweenaw Bay, MI passed away on Saturday, April 4, 2020 at Bayside Village in L'Anse, MI. She was born January 19, 1931 in Chicago, IL daughter of Fred and Edith (Willson) Clement. Barbara graduated from Peoria High School in 1949. She married Thomas "Ray" Brodbeck Jr. on February 9, 1952 at St. Cecelia Church in Peoria, IL. Barbara worked as a lunch monitor at Keller Central Grade School in Peoria for 16 years. She was a life member of the...

William Sluyter Fredendall, 92, of L’Anse, Michigan died on March 30, 2020, at Baraga County Memorial Hospital in L’Anse. Bill is survived by his daughters, Phyllis Fredendall (Hannu Leppänen), of Hancock, MI, Laura Fredendall (Karl Barnebey), of Terre Haute, IN, and Nancy Ahrenholtz (Ted), Minnetonka, MN; grandchildren, Dan Brennan (Brittany), of Lakeland, TN, and Henry and Heidi Ahrenholtz; great-grandchildren, Ava and Cannon Brennan; sister-in-law, Phyllis Ferns, of...

Karen Lee (Karr) Hershey, age 81 of Sidnaw, MI passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, March 26, 2020 in Sidnaw. She was born Mary 29, 1938 in Garrett, IN daughter of Harry and Georgia (Bennett) Karr. Karen graduated in 1955 from Orland High School, then in 1959 she received a Bachelor degree in nursing from Methodist School of Nursing in Parkview, IN. She worked as a Registered Nurse for Cameron, Lakeland, and Carlyn Park hospitals, retiring in 2001. Karen married Jerry D. Hershey on...

On Saturday, March 14, 2020, Nancy Jean (LeClair) Block, Loving mother of four children, passed away at age 76. Nancy was born December 31, 1943 in Hancock, MI to Reuben and Isabelle (Haanpaa) LeClair. She graduated from L'Anse High School in 1961. Nancy married Judge William D. Block on January 31, 1964. Nancy worked as a Legal Secretary and Illinois State Legislative Aide. She received her Associates degree from the College of Lake County where she later served for several years on the...

Mary Rae Takala, age 67 of Keweenaw Bay, MI passed away on Thursday, March 12, 2020 at her home with her husband by her side. She was born March 23, 1952 in Hancock, MI daughter of Bruce and Shirley (Walitalo) Kemppainen. Mary graduated from Thurston High School in Redford in 1970. She furthered her studies at NMU and MTU. Mary married Donald Takala on August 30, 1975 at the Finnish Center in Farmington Hills, MI. They resided in Keweenaw Bays since 1983. She worked in food service and...

Sandra "Daydee" Jeanne Grafton, age 77 of Baraga, MI passed away on Monday, March 2, 2020 at her home. She was born July 8, 1942 in L'Anse, MI daughter of Grant and Juanita (Draeger) Johnson. Sandy graduated from L'Anse High School in 1960. Sandy sung with the Harmonettes with her sister Sharon and friend Sandra Racette. She worked in Marquette at Bunny Bread for a few years prior to marrying Harry Grafton on August 19, 1961 in Marquette. They resided in L'Anse and she...

Wanda Lee Mutter, age 88 of Arnheim, MI passed away on Friday, February 21, 2020 at Bayside Village in L'Anse, MI. She was born December 12, 1931 in Pocahontas, AR daughter of Lucian and Dollie (Perrin) Dean. Wanda graduated from Sloan Hendrix High School in Imboden, AR. She married Lyle Mutter on April 3, 1981 in Las Vegas, NV. They resided in Waterford, MI where she worked at Krogers for 25 years, retiring in 1985 when they moved to Arnheim. from 1996-2002 she and Lyle resided in Las...

Ruth Ann Niemi, age 86 of L'Anse, MI passed away on Thursday, February 20, 2020 at Baraga County Memorial Hospital. She was daughter of George and Bertha (Fleury) Reed, born on December 29, 1933 in L'Anse at her family home where she still resided. Ruth attended school in L'Anse. She married Elwood Niemi on June 23, 1951 in L'Anse. Ruth worked at the Baraga County Sheriff's Department as a matron. She also worked at the Night Owl, bartender at the VFW, and was a caterer....

Glenda Ann Hiltunen age 83 of L'Anse, MI passed away on Tuesday, February 18, 2020 at Bayside Village in L'Anse, MI. She was born October 24, 1936 in Detroit, MI daughter to Thomas and Alice (Dillon) Werner. Glenda graduated in 1954 from McKenzie High School in Detroit. She had 4 children (Cherri, Doug, Joan, and Nancy) from a previous marriage. In 1973 Glenda married Alden Hiltunen and raised their combined 7 children together as one family. While living in Garden City, Glenda was a member...

James Earl Kemppainen, age 76 of L'Anse, MI passed away on Monday, February 10, 2020 at Baraga County Memorial Hospital. He was born September 13, 1943 in L'Anse, MI son of Earl and Ruth (Maki) Kemppainen. Jim graduated from L'Anse High School in 1961. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1961 until 1966. He married Arlene Salo on July 6, 1968 at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in L'Anse. Jim worked at Celotex for a few years. He then worked 30 years for Cleveland Cliffs, retiring...