Ishpeming – Charlotte Genevieve Sundberg , age 88 of 612 N. 5 ^th St. Ishpeming, passed away Monday, March 27, 2017 in the loving presence of her family, at UP Health System where she had been a patient since March 21.

Charlotte "Char" was born March 19, 1929 to Dona & Marguerite (McCarthy) LaFreniere. She graduated from the Ishpeming High School in 1947 and traveled with her "club" friends to Chicago where she worked for the summer as a secretary. Upon returning home she met her future husband Leo who she married on June 19, 1948. Together they built their life in Ishpeming around lifelong friends, raising four children, and spending summers at their Dead River Hoist Basin camp.

Char was a dedicated wife and mother, and worked two jobs while raising her kids – one in the kitchen at Bell Memorial Hospital, and then in the produce department at Joseph's Foods. Char was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church where she belonged to the Choir, the Funeral Choir, Lady Knights of Columbus, Altar Society and Rosary Society. She also belonged to the VASA Lodge, Ishpeming Elks Lodge, Dead River Campers Association, Friends of the Library and the Ishpeming VFW Auxiliary. Char cherished her card and friendship "clubs". "The Club" of 72 years was started when they were in high school and is still active today. "The Club" also acted as a child rearing, social healing, and therapy organization for them over the years! Char immensely enjoyed time spent with family and friends – whether at their beloved camp on the Dead River Hoist Basin, 4 ^th of July Parades on Third street, traveling to Colorado to visit family or attending Leo's Air Force reunions, and snow-birding in the south & southwest to avoid UP winters. She also enjoyed her many years of pasty making with the whole Elks crew and attending Friday night fish fry's. Char was a cancer survivor of over 20 years and caringly provided unconditional "cancer" hugs to fellow patients and survivors. Her positive attitude and genuine love for everyone was the strongest medicine for her as well as others.

Char is survived by her 4 children: Darryll (Susie) Sundberg of Ishpeming, Scott (Barbara) Sundberg of Mission, TX, Susan (David) Swanson of Littleton, CO and James (Lee Anne) Sundberg of Ishpeming, 11 grandchildren: Lindsay (Matt) Saner, Ryan (Emily) Sundberg, Derek Sundberg, Brandon (Teresa) Sundberg, Gena (Mark) Johnson, Teal Swanson, Michael Swanson, Anna (Andrew) Asmus, Connor Swanson, Joslyn Todd and Jennifer (Ken) Heikkila; great grandchildren: Seamus and Ruby Saner, Layla and Logan Sundberg, Samuel & Roland Sundberg, Zachary & Anna Johnson, Samantha, Molly & Brooklyn Todd, and Lucy & Theodore Heikkila; a sister Donna LaFreniere of Richardson, TX, along with nieces, nephews & cousins. Char was preceded in death by her husband Leo Sundberg, and her parents Dona & Marguerite LaFreniere.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 1:00 pm Saturday, April 1, 2017 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ishpeming with Fr. Dan Moll to officiate. Inurnment will take place at Northland Chapel Gardens at a later date.

Friends may call at St. Joseph Catholic Church on Saturday from 11:00am-1:00pm. A light luncheon will be served after the Mass in the church hall.

Pallbearers will be Ken Heikkila, Mark Johnson, Matt Saner, Derek Sundberg, Connor Swanson and Michael Swanson.

Memorial considerations may be directed to the American Cancer Society – Marquette, MI or St. Joseph Catholic Church memorial.

The family would like to thank the caregivers at UP Health System – Bell, Marquette County Medical Care Facility, UP Health System – Marquette (Dr. Roth, Meredith RN, Brianne SN, Kyle RN, Sara RN, Karin CA, et al), and UP Home Health and Hospice. Special thanks go out to Dr. Lloyd Hooper and Dr. Ross Siemers for the many years they attended to her health needs.

Char's obituary may also be viewed at www.bjorkandzhulkie.com where her guest book may be signed.

The funeral service recording, when it becomes available, can be found here .