Obituaries

Aug 18, 2024

Chassell

Mary Lee Nordstrom made her grand entrance to Heaven today, August 18th 2024, at 8am just

before the "Oldies" started playing on WMPL 107.3.

Mary Lee was 79. She was born at home in Portage Entry, Chassell, MI. She was the 5 th child of

Henry and Lili Tormala (both...

Aug 14, 2024

Houghton

Darlene E. Siekas, 98, a resident of Arbor Green in Houghton and former Tapiola resident died at the Omega House on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, following a short illness.

She was born on January 16, 1926, in Atlantic Mine, to Lauri and Sadie Sandberg. She graduated from Jeffers High School in 1943. On November...

Aug 13, 2024

Elo

Edwin R. "Eppie" Maki, 88, a resident of Elo, passed away Tuesday, August 13, 2024, at Bayside Village in L'Anse.

Edwin was born on December 29, 1935, in Elo, son of the late Leonard and Sophie (Autio) Maki. He was raised n Elo and graduated from the John A. Doelle School with the class...

Aug 12, 2024

Negaunee

Jeremy John (Jerry) DeForge, age 53, passed away on Monday, August 12, 2024 at UP Health Systems-Marquette.

He was born July 16, 1971, in Hancock MI to John (Nonnie) DeForge Jr and Lynn DeForge Baldwin. Jerry was raised in Trimountain, MI, and graduated from Jeffers High School Class of 1989. He went on to...

Aug 11, 2024

Houghton

The Bluff's Houghton resident, Ray Saarinen, passed away Sunday, August 11, 2024, at UP Health

System-Portage following a short illness.

Ray was born in Pelkie on March 7, 1933, the son of the late Oliver and Hilda Saarinen. He was a

graduate of Hancock High School, class of 1951. After...

Aug 11, 2024

Hancock

Dennis H. Byers, of Hancock, M.I., passed away on August 11, 2024 after an illness. He was 69 years old.

Dennis was married to Doreen B. Byers (Nydam) for 39 years. In support of his family, he worked with Lapp Electric as an Electrician and then Vice President of Operations and later at Dematic...

Aug 4, 2024

Sandusky, MI

Paul A. Fetting, 75, a cherished resident of Sandusky, MI, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday,

August 4, 2024, while in the Upper Peninsula.

Paul was born on September 10, 1948, in Sandusky, MI, to the late Auburn and Hilda (Shaffbower)

Fetting. On June 17, 1967, he was united in...

Jul 31, 2024

Hancock

John E. Rintala, 77, a resident of the Quincy House in Hancock passed away Wednesday July 31, 2024, at his home.

The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service - Hancock Chapel is assisting with the arrangements.

Jul 30, 2024

Painesdale

Rachel A. Wiitala, a resident of Painesdale died peacefully on July 30, 2024, with her children by her side. She was 82 years old.

She was born in Toivola Michigan to the late Rafael and Sylvia (Perala) Maki.

On July 21, 1962, she married Clayton Wiitala. He preceded her in death in...

Jul 29, 2024

Chassell

Following a life filled with faith and family, Kristine Eva Hietala, 74, a resident of Chassell passed away peacefully on Monday, July 29, 2024, at Solvay House Hospice in Duluth, MN.

Kris was born on October 8, 1949, in Baraga, MI, to fabian and Lempi (Ylitalo) Maki. She spent her youth there and graduated...

Jul 28, 2024

Houghton

Henrietta LaMotte, a resident of Houghton, passed away Sunday, July 28, 2024, at the Omega House in Houghton.

She was born on August 14, 1931, in Hubbell, a daughter of the late Henry and Melvina (Rock) Marcotte. Henrietta was raised in Hubbell. She attended St. Cecelia Catholic School and was a graduate of the...

Jul 27, 2024

Hancock

Laila R. Hauswirth, 104, a former resident of Hancock and the Bluff Senior Living Community in Houghton, passed away Saturday, July 27, 2024, at Portage Pointe in Hancock where she had been a resident patient.

Laila was born on January 21, 1920, the youngest of eight children to Frank and Susanna (Ojanpera) Isolampi in...

Jul 25, 2024

Tapiola

Robert R. Olson, 77, a resident of Tapiola passed away Thursday July 25, 2024, at his home.

He was born on November 23, 1946, in Hancock, MI, a son of the late Axel and Celia (Sjoblom) Olson. Robert was raised in Tapiola and was a graduate of the John A. Doelle High School with...

Jul 24, 2024

Chassell

Nancy Rae Kauma, 86, a resident of Chassell, passed away on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at her home with her family by her side.

Nancy was born on August 1, 1937, in Grand Rapids, Michigan to the late William and Mildred (Hart) Weaver. She was raised in the Lansing area and graduated from Eastern...

Jul 16, 2024

Hancock

Werner V. Hinkfus, 83, a resident of Hancock passed away Tuesday July 16, 2024, at the Omega House in Houghton following a short illness.

The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service - Hancock Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Jul 14, 2024

South Range

Michael A. Haapapuro, a beloved father, grandfather and son passed away on July 14th, 2024, at age 58 in Pontiac, MI

He was born in Hancock, MI on August 18th, 1965, to Bruce Haapapuro and Carol (Perrault) Haapapuro.

Michael was devoted to his family, a proud dad and grandfather. He enjoyed...

Jul 10, 2024

Hancock

Jean Schweitzer, 89, a resident patient at the Canal View – Houghton County passed away Wednesday, July 10, 2024.

She was born on April 13, 1935, in Atlantic Mine, MI, a daughter of the late George and Bertha (Nelson) Schweitzer.  Jean was raised in Atlantic Mine and attended the Jeffers School.

Jean...

Jul 10, 2024

Dollar Bay

On July 10, 2024, Our Angel received her wings.

Theresa Ann Holombo passed away peacefully in the arms of her children at Portage Pointe where she had been a resident following a stroke in October, 2023.

Theresa was born at home in Houghton on August 27, 1931. She was the youngest...

Jul 6, 2024

Houghton- Billy Ray Lell, 85, a resident of Houghton passed away on July 6, 2024.

He was born on October 10th, 1938 in Missouri. At 17 he joined the Navy and served his country for over 10 years.

Following his time in the service, Billy worked as a civilian contractor as a computer specialist for...

Jun 27, 2024

Calumet

Luella Marie Beaudette of Calumet, Michigan passed away peacefully on June 27 th, 2024 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Luella was born in a small cabin in Popple River Wisconsin to Harry & Lenora (Eastman) Buckman on January 24, 1932. As a young child, the family moved to Houghton Michigan where Luella attended school and...