Obituaries

Sep 19, 2023

Debra (Debbie) Lynn Heikkila, age 61, of Baraga, Michigan, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at her home. She was born March 21, 1962, in Annapolis, Maryland, the daughter of Darwin and Donna (Paul) Heikkila. Debbie grew up in Baraga and lived in Orlando, Florida, for many years, where she worked for the U.S. Postal Service and...

Sep 14, 2023

Hugo Manuel Gordillo Gomez February 16, 1960 - September 14, 2023 Writer, journalist, human rights activist. Lover, husband, father, friend. Born in Guatemala City, Guatemala, Hugo Gordillo was raised by his grandmother, Doña Elvira Alvarado Velasquez, in the province of Retalhuleu. From 1980-2012, he worked as a journalist, focusing on human rights and social inequality, and received three UNICEF...

Sep 14, 2023

Robert Frances Vizina, age 65 of L'Anse, MI passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, September 14th, 2023 at his home. He was born August 21, 1958 in L'Anse, MI son of Raymond and Margaret (Selden) Vizina. Robert graduated from L'Anse High School in 1978. He married the former Sheri Rinkinen on August 5, 2016 in L'Anse. Robert worked at Commercial National...

Sep 13, 2023

Randall Wayne Lepola, age 64 of Covington, Michigan passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, September 13th, 2023 at his home. He was born August 7th, 1959 in Detroit, MI son of Melvin and Jeanette (Norback) Lepola. Randall graduated from Wayne Memorial High School in 1977. He served in the U. S. Marines for four years. Randall worked for various businesses as...

Sep 9, 2023

Layla Marykay Klug of L'Anse, MI, daughter of Joshua Klug Jr. and Cheyenne LeMieux was born into the arms of God on September 9, 2023. It took Cheyenne and Josh 6 years to conceive Layla. She was heaven sent. From the moment Josh and Cheyenne had found out they were having a baby they were filled with excitement and...

Aug 24, 2023

Ellen Marie Stewart, a loving and creative soul, passed away unexpectedly from heart disease on August 24, 2023, in Berkley, Michigan. Born on March 10, 1948, in Hancock, Michigan, Ellen's life was marked by her friendly nature and a deep love for her family, friends, and pets. Ellen was a dedicated professional, working as an appraiser at Alexander Hamilton Insurance...

Aug 20, 2023

Catherine Marie Shepherd, age 61 of Baraga, MI passed away on Sunday, August 20th, 2023 at Mayo Clinic Hospital, St Mary's Campus, in Rochester, Minnesota. She was born October 13, 1961 in Chicago, IL daughter of Raymond and Patricia (Emery) Kemppainen. Catherine graduated from Kelvyn Park High School in 1979. She married Ambrose Shepherd on August 1, 1981 in Cameron,...

Aug 12, 2023

Gerald Earl Maki, age 86 of Elo, Michigan passed away on Saturday, August 12th, 2023 at Bayside Village in L'Anse, MI. He was born June 17, 1937 in Elo, MI son of Leonard and Sophie (Autio) Maki. He attended the John A. Doelle School and graduated in 1955. He was in the U. S. Army stationed in Germany until...

Aug 11, 2023

Darlene Marie Elmblad, age 76 of Skanee, MI passed away on Friday, August 11th, 2023 at Bayside Village in L'Anse, MI surrounded by her loving family, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer's. She was born October 27, 1946 in Houghton, MI daughter to Vivan and Joyce (Kunick) Witz. Darlene graduated from L'Anse High School in 1964. She married the love...

Jul 26, 2023

Anne Beatrice Lambert, age 76 of L'Anse, Michigan passed away on Wednesday, July 26th, 2023 at U. P. Health System, Marquette, MI. She was born October 17, 1946 in Hancock, MI daughter of Phillip and Beatrice (Bergerson) LaTendresse. Anne graduated from Baraga High School in 1964. On April 8, 1967 she married Keith Lambert. She then received a Bachelor...

Jun 29, 2023

Carrie Lou Thomas went home to be with her Lord and Savior on June 29th, 2023. She was born on April 13, 1942 to Harold and Lucille (Westerman) Juul in Waukegan, Illinois. She and her beloved husband, Larry R. Thomas (deceased 2008) moved to L'Anse, MI in 1975, when they bought the local Ford dealership. She and Larry had...

Jun 27, 2023

Allyson Emelia Cotter, age 13, of Nisula, Michigan, passed away on June 27th, 2023. She was born on April 7, 2010, in Hancock, MI. Allyson is survived by her father Matthew Cotter, mother Kristin (Juntunen) Kovach, stepfather Roger Kovach, brothers Joshua Cotter and Colton Kovach, and sisters Riley Kovach, Charlie Kovach, paternal grandfather Daniel Cotter, paternal grandmother Bonny Connor, maternal...

Jun 24, 2023

Kenneth Robert Janson, 71, of Pelkie, Michigan passed away peacefully at home with family by his side on Saturday, June 24th after a courageous battle with cancer. Ken was born on August 19th, 1951 in Menominee, Michigan to Howard and Luella (Sorenson) Janson. He graduated salutatorian from Menominee High School in 1969.

He attended Michigan Technological University...

Jun 14, 2023

Patricia Kay (Niemi) Karvonen, age 80 of Arnheim, MI passed away on June 14, 2023 at Baraga County Memorial Hospital. She was born on November 16, 1942 in Hancock, MI. She grew up in Askel, MI and graduated from the Doelle School in Tapiola. "Patsy" married Wayne Karvonen, Sr., son of Edwin and Martha (Partanen) Karvonen April 14, 1962. They...

Jun 2, 2023

Leo Rudolph Maki, age 64 of Aura, MI passed away on Friday, June 2nd, 2023 at OSF St. Francis Hospital in Escanaba, MI. He was born July 22, 1958 in L'Anse, MI son of Rudolph and Jean (Hiltunen) Maki. Leo grew up in Sheboygan, WI and graduated from Sheboygan South High School in 1977. He worked for many years...

May 12, 2023

Albert Guy Goodreau, age 87, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 12, 2023 at his home after a long battle with Alzheimer's Disease. He was born on March 29, 1936 in L'Anse, MI, the son of Homer and Grace (Gallano) Goodreau. He graduated from L'Anse High School in 1954 and served in the U.S. Navy. In 1960 he married Pauline...

May 7, 2023

Ray Howard Norback, age 73 of Covington, MI passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, May 7th, 2023 at U.P. Health System Marquette, MI. He was born December 28, 1949 in Negaunee, MI son of Waino and Mildred (Pentinen) Norback. Ray grew up in Watton and graduated from L'Anse High School in 1968. From 1969-71he served in the U.S. Army during...

May 1, 2023

Carole Margaret Bergerson, age 77 of L'Anse passed away peacefully on Monday, May 1st after a period of declining health and complications of a stroke. She was surrounded by her family this past week and they made sure she knew how loved she was. Carole was born on July 28th, 1945 to the late Eino and Frances (Kellis) Hietikko in...

Apr 25, 2023

Elsie E. Lundy, age 89 of L'Anse, MI passed away on Tuesday, April 25th, 2023 at her home with her family by her side. She was born September 30, 1933 in Adams Township, MI daughter of Matt and Pearl (Ruona) Korpinen. Elsie married John Lundy on September 30, 1950; they resided in L'Anse. She was a member of the Zion...

Apr 4, 2023

Albert Floyd "Bud" Clement, age 86 of L'Anse, MI passed away on Tuesday, April 4th, 2023 at his home. He was born November 14th, 1936 in L'Anse, MI son of Albert and Bertha (Holm) Clement. Bud was raised in L'anse, where he attended school until the 10th grade, then moved to Libertyville, IL. He served in the US Army...