All Obituaries

Lillian Jeanette Rantala, age 78, of Alston, Michigan, passed away on Thursday, June 23, 2022 at Baraga County Memorial Hospital following a short illness. Lillian was born on February 8, 1944 in Pittsburgh, California where her father was stationed during World War 2. She was the daughter of Theodore and Lempi (Korpi) Carlson and grew up on the family farm in Nisula. She graduated from Baraga High School with the class of 1962. After high school, Lillian moved to Milwaukee and found a job...

Judy M. Robillard passed away peacefully on June 22, 2022 at the age of 73 at Baraga Memorial Hospital in Bovine, surrounded by her loving family and friends. Judy was born on October 3, 1948 and is the daughter of Joseph J. and Georgianna L. (Selden) Robillard. Judy was a compassionate nurse’s aide at BCMH and BCMH Home Health and Hospice for 10 years. She worked at Copper Country Mental Health for an additional 10 years. Aside from healthcare, she owned and operated her very own...

Floyd Joseph Forcia Jr, age 69 of L'Anse, MI passed away on Wednesday, June 22nd, 2022 at U.P. Health System Marquette, MI. He was born May 14, 1953 in Milwaukee, WI son of Floyd Sr. and Ruth (Noble) Forcia. Floyd grew up in Ontonagon and Flint, MI prior to moving to Baraga and L'Anse. He married Linda Allman. He worked for a roofing and fencing company, Tribal Construction, and as a commercial fisherman. Floyd enjoyed fishing, hunting, and spending time with his children and...

Loretta Ann Golden, age 75 of L'Anse, MI passed away on Thursday, June 9th, 2022 at Canal View in Hancock, MI. She was born August 30, 1946 in L'Anse daughter of Ira and Eleanora (Soli) Metz. Loretta married Anthony Golden on January 25, 1964 in L'Anse. She was a member of United Lutheran Church and the VFW Auxiliary. Loretta enjoyed cooking, gardening, going to garage sales bumming around, and spending time with friends. Surviving are her children, Carol (John) Carlson of LaCenter, KY,...

Michael John Adams, 57, of Baraga passed away on June 8 at Bayside Nursing Home after a 3-year cancer journey. Mike was born in Detroit, Michigan. He lived in Baraga for a short time when he was 2, but spent most of his childhood in Howell, MI. He attended Hartland High School (class of 1984). Mike is predeceased by his parents Paul and Phyllis (Pulkki) Adams of Baraga. He is survived by his wife Gail Adams, son Tyler Adams, sister Tammy (Adams) Damrath of Denver, aunt Kathryn (Pulkki)...

Lillian (Lil) Marie Van Straten (Juntunen), age 94 of Baraga, MI passed away on Monday, June 6th, 2022 at Baraga County Memorial Hospital. Lil was born December 27, 1927 in Nisula, MI daughter of Arthur and Armita (Lepisto) Juntunen. Lil graduated from Baraga High School in 1946. She married her high school sweetheart George Peter Van Straten on February 26, 1949 in Baraga. Along with starting a family together they founded Van Straten Manufacturing which is now owned by the 3rd...

Russell Vizina, 82 of Baraga, MI passed away peacefully with family by his side on June 4th, 2022. Russell was born February 26, 1940 in Baraga to the late Lawrence and Virginia (Cadeau) Vizina. Russell graduated from Baraga High School in 1958 and enlisted in the Army in 1959. Honorably discharged in 1961, he was later recalled to the Berlin Crisis serving until 1962. Using the GI Bill, Russell attended Ferris State College, met his wife, and graduated with a BS in Environmental Health in...

Paul John Edward Lampela, age 91 of L'Anse, MI passed away on Saturday, June 4th, 2022 at his home. He was born August 21, 1930 in Milwaukee, WI son of Axel and Elmie(Laajala) Lampela. Paul graduated from Hancock High School in 1948, then served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, from 1950-54. In 1956 he received a Bachelor's degree in engineering. Paul married the former Ruth Lescelius on June 29, 1957 in Chassell, MI. Paul worked for Ford from 1956-2006, living in...

Sally Ann Narhi, age 73 of Pelkie, MI passed away on Friday, June 3rd, 2022 at U.P. Health System Marquette, MI. She was born July 15, 1948 in Hancock, MI daughter of Arvid and Gladys (Campbell) Narhi. Sally grew up on the family farm in Pelkie. She graduated from Baraga High School in 1966, then went on to Michigan State University where she received a PhD in Education. Sally is accredited with 31 years of service for Michigan’s public schools. She began her teaching career in...

Marlene Fay King, age 77 of Covington, Michigan passed away on Wednesday, May 25th, 2022 at Baraga County Memorial Hospital with her daughter Jeanne at her side. She is now reunited with her husband Rocky. She was born September 14, 1944 in Ishpeming, MI, daughter of Ernest and Tellerva (Larson) Niemi. Marlene graduated from Negaunee High School in 1962. She married S. Duane "Rocky" King on October 13, 1962 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Suomi Location. They belonged to the Bethany...