Obituaries
Joseph Christopher Lehto
Dec 29, 2022
Joseph Christopher Lehto, age 71 of Aura, MI peacefully passed away on Thursday, December 29, 2022 at his home in Aura. He was born December 25, 1951 in L’Anse, son of Lila (Saari) and Hugo Lehto. Joe graduated from Negaunee high school in 1970. He briefly studied electrical engineering at Michigan Tech and then began working as an electrician...
Philip Richard Nankervis
Dec 11, 2022
Philip Richard Nankervis, loving husband, father, and grandfather, age 79, passed away peacefully on December 11, 2022, surrounded by his family following a brief illness. Philip was born on October 2, 1943, in L'Anse Michigan to the late William "Bill" Nankervis and Gertrude (Toyras) Nankervis Elmblad. He was a 1961 graduate of L'Anse High School. After graduation he began...
Helen Eleanore (Michaelson) Pesola
Dec 9, 2022
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Helen (Eleanore Michaelson) Pesola on December 9, 2022. She was born on February 15, 1927, to Mariam (Marie) Lilstrang and Arvo Michaelson. She married Raymond Pesola (deceased) and had two children. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who always put her family first. She was...
Jean Julia (Haataja) Juntunen
Dec 7, 2022
Jean Julia Juntunen, age 77 of Baraga, MI passed away on Wednesday, December 7, 2022 at Baraga County Memorial Hospital. She was born May 14, 1945 in Hancock, MI daughter of Alfred and Olga (Sillanpaa) Haataja. Jean attended the Doelle School in Tapiola. Jean married Raymond Juntunen on November 3, 1962 in Tapiola. She was a home maker. Jean...
Howard Tim Ansell
Nov 30, 2022
Howard Tim Ansell, age 70 of L'Anse, MI passed away on Wednesday, November 30th, 2022 at his home with his family at his side. He was born August 1, 1952 in Galesburg, Illinois to Howard and Joyce (Skiles) Ansell. He married Janice Trudell in 1989. Tim worked for the State of Michigan, Department of Corrections, from 1981 until retiring...
Charles Wayne Pietila
Nov 29, 2022
Charles Wayne Pietila, age 85 of Baraga, MI passed away on Tuesday, November 29th, 2022 at the Omega House in Houghton, MI. He was born on September 11, 1937 in Hancock, MI son of Ruth Pietila. Charlie was raised by his grandmother, Ellen Pietila and his uncle and aunt Matt and Marie Pietila. He graduated from Hancock High School...
David Aron Jahfetson
Nov 17, 2022
David Aron Jahfetson, 35, a former resident of Keweenaw Bay, Michigan, died on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, as a result of an automobile accident. He was born Oct. 2, 1987, in L'Anse, MI, a son of Jacob and Elaine (Koski) Jahfetson. David graduated from Baraga High School in 2006 with honors. He was a very hard worker. David helped his...
Virgil R. Kissel
Nov 15, 2022
Virgil R. Kissel, Jr., age 87 of L'Anse, MI passed away on Tuesday, November 15th, 2022 at his home with his family at his side. He was the first born to Virgil and Blanche (Schibley) Kissel in Ashland, Ohio on March 8, 1935. The family always vacationed in Northern Michigan and eventually moved to Munising, MI. Virgil graduated from...
Lacey Anne Rajala
Nov 4, 2022
Lacey Anne Rajala, age 30 of Chassell, Michigan was suddenly taken to her everlasting home on Friday, November 4, 2022 as a result of an automobile accident. Lacey was born September 19, 1992 in Marquette, MI daughter to David and Amy (Younggren) Rajala. She worked in food service at The Bluffs, Quincy's Restaurant, and owned and operated Lacey's Curbside...
Liam Lewis
Nov 2, 2022
Liam Lewis, born Lily Mae Makenzie Lewis, life came to an end on Wednesday, November 2nd, 2022 at Baraga County Memorial Hospital. Born a two spirited person on November 16, 2007 to Joseph and Raven (Pelcher) Lewis. Liam was an up and coming artist who of coarse enjoyed painting, listening to music, knitting and watching television. He loved to...
Donna Marie (Blood) Velmer
Oct 31, 2022
Donna Marie Velmer, age 70 of L'Anse, MI passed away on Monday, October 31, 2022 at Baraga County Memorial Hospital in L'Anse. She was born on May 15, 1952 in Norfolk, Virginia daughter to Joseph and Donna (Newland) Blood. Donna married Richard Velmer on December 14, 1985 in Baraga, MI. She worked at BCMH for 45 years, retiring February...
Carol Joyce (Derocher) Erickson
Oct 30, 2022
Carol Joyce Erickson, age 88 of Taylor, MI passed away on Sunday, October 30, 2022 at Down River Estates Assisted Living Center in Browntown Twp, MI. She was born March 12, 1934 in L'Anse, MI daughter of Oliver and Esther (Maki) Derocher. Joyce graduated from L'Anse High School in 1952. She married Captain Donald Earl "Eric" Erickson on December...
George Peter Van Straten
Oct 25, 2022
George Peter Van Straten, age 94 of Baraga, Ml passed away on Tuesday, October 25th, 2022 at UP Health System-Portage in Hancock, MI. He was born November 26, 1927 in Baraga, Ml son of George and Gertrude (Schmidt) Van Straten. Pete graduated from Baraga High School in 1946. On February 26, 1949, he married his high school sweetheart Lillian...
Sally Pauline (Sullivan) Kahkonen
Oct 10, 2022
Sally Pauline Kahkonen, age 78 of L'Anse, MI passed away on Monday, October 10th, 2022 at U.P. Health System in Marquette, MI. She was born November 6, 1943 in Gaylord, MI daughter of James and Marie (Melzow) Sullivan. Sally came from a large family and she was one of fourteen children. Her family moved to L'Anse when she was...
Mercedes Gatz (Schmitt) Magaraggia
Oct 2, 2022
Mercedes Gatz Magaraggia, age 91 of L'Anse, MI passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, October 2nd, 2022 in Eagle River, WI. She was born September 28, 1931 in Birnamwood, WI daughter of Edgar and Ernestine (Gatz) Schmitt. Mercedes graduated from Birnamwood High School in 1950. She marred Lawrence Magaraggia on December 10, 1955, then they resided in Milwaukee, WI for...
Virgil Clifford Mongozid
Sep 25, 2022
Virgil Clifford (Marcotte) Mongozid, "Animikiins" (Little Thunder), age 18 of L'Anse, MI passed away on Sunday, September 25, 2022. He was born November 10, 2003 in Hancock, MI son of Steven Marcotte and Charlotte Loonsfoot. Virgil graduated from Baraga High School in 2022 and was an outstanding athlete; playing football, basketball, shot put and pole vault in track, and running...
James Charles Lepola
Sep 18, 2022
James Charles Lepola, age 87 of Watton, MI passed away peacefully at his home with family by his side on Sunday, September 18, 2022. He was born April 22, 1935 in L'Anse, MI son of Charles William and Elma Dagmar (Salli) Lepola. Jim grew up in Wakefield, MI and graduated in 1953 from Wakefield High School. He moved to Watton...
Theresa C. (Cousineau) Barnett
Sep 17, 2022
Theresa C. Cousineau Barnett, age 77 of L'Anse, MI passed away September 17th, 2022 at Bayside Village in L'Anse, MI. She was born on March 22nd, 1945 in Manistique, MI to Stacy and Lilly (Asp) Cousineau Crossley. She was united in marriage to William L. Barnett on June 26th, 1965 in Munising, MI. Bill and Theresa lived in Skanee,...
Clarence John Seavoy
Sep 16, 2022
Clarence "Duke" John Seavoy, age 84 of Skanee, MI passed away on Friday, September 16, 2022 at Baraga County Memorial Hospital. He was born on March 28, 1938 in L'Anse, son of Walter and Eleanor (Skuggen) Seavoy. Duke graduated from L'Anse High School in 1956. After High School he joined the Army and was stationed in Germany. When he...
Wanda Jean Seppanen
Sep 9, 2022
Wanda Jean Seppanen, age 66 of Baraga, MI passed away on Friday, September 9th, 2022 at U.P. Health System Marquette, Michigan. She was born April 11, 1956 in Zeba, MI daughter of Waino and Eleanor (Spruce) Seppanen. Wanda graduated from L'Anse High School in 1974, then attended Suomi College and Northern Michigan University where she received a bachelor's degree in...

