Obituaries

Feb 21, 2026

REPUBLIC, MI – Marlene Elaine Skoglund, age 72, of Republic, passed away unexpectedly at her home on Saturday, February 21, 2026.

Marlene was born March 5, 1953, in Ishpeming to the late George and Evelyn (Hupp) Vedder. She was raised in Champion and graduated from Champion High School. As a child, she loved horseback riding and spending time with her younger...

Feb 19, 2026

ISHPEMING, MI – Kenneth A. Nelson, age 75, of Ishpeming, passed away at his home on Thursday, February 19, 2026.

Ken was born on December 27, 1950, in Ishpeming, to Alvin Nelson and Gail Annear. He attended Ishpeming High School and graduated in the class of 1969. It was during his high school years that Ken met his future wife Kay...

Feb 18, 2026

GWINN, MI – Don Fredrick Ivey Marietti, age 70, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at the Marquette County Medical Care Facility, while in the comforting care of Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice staff.

Don was born on May 9, 1955, in Ishpeming, to Wayne Ivey and Lillian Lucas. He grew up in Ishpeming alongside his six siblings...

Feb 18, 2026

Republic- Gary G. Koski, age 84, longtime Republic resident, passed away on Wednesday February 18, 2026 at his home.

Gary was born in Ishpeming on February 18, 1942, son of the late George and Pearl (Long) Koski. He grew up in Republic and was a graduate of Republic High School with the class of 1960. Following graduation Gary worked in the...

Feb 16, 2026

Ishpeming Twp.- Rosalie G. Kempainen, age 86 longtime area resident, passed away on Monday February 16, 2026 at the Marquette County Medical Care Facility while in the loving care of her family, UP Home Health and Hospice, and nursing home staff.

Rosalie was born in Ishpeming on January 30, 1940, daughter of the late Edwin and Ruth (Saari) Laituri. She grew...

Feb 12, 2026

DIORITE, MI – Alan J. Laakso, age 67, lifelong Diorite resident, passed away peacefully, in the loving care of his family and UP Home Health and Hospice on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at his childhood home that his father built.

Alan was born on June 27, 1958, in Ishpeming, to the late Arne “Muna” and Shirley (LaParche) Laakso. He was proud...

Feb 6, 2026

Ishpeming- Carol Marie Jensen, age 85, formerly of Duncan Ave., passed away on Friday February 6, 2026 at Wellbridge of Rochester Hills where she was residing.

Carol was born on April 8, 1940 in Rockford, IL, the daughter of the late Otto W. and Clara (Connors) Gehlhausen. She was a graduate of the Kirkland High School, class of 1958. She married...

Feb 4, 2026

ISHPEMING, MI – Joseph T. Houseman, age 91, of Ishpeming, passed away at his home on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.

Joseph was born December 6, 1934, in National Mine to Theodore and Elizabeth (Hill) Houseman. He spent his childhood there before moving to Green Creek in the early 1950s, where his parents built their family home. An outdoorsman from the start,...

Jan 25, 2026

ISHPEMING, MI - Frances “Mary” Paju Sundberg, age 89, longtime Ishpeming Township resident, passed away peacefully on January 25, 2026, at Mill Creek Senior Living Community, while in the loving care of her family, the wonderful Mill Creek Staff, and UP Health and Hospice.

Mary was born November 8, 1936, in Ishpeming to the late Harley J. and Edith M. (Blewett)...

Jan 22, 2026

REPUBLIC, MI – Wayne “Tex” Shepherd, age 79, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Monday, January 22, 2026. Tex was born January 19, 1947 in Marquette to Harold and Cecelia (Ringuette) Shepherd.

He graduated from Republic-Michigamme High School in 1966. He served in the army and sampled a variety of trades during his younger years. He became a mechanic and...

Jan 22, 2026

James P. Becotte, age 50, longtime area resident, passed away on Thursday January 22, 2026 at Cherry Meadows Hospice in Appleton where he had been a resident for the past several months.

James was born in Marquette on January 5, 1976, son of Thomas Becotte, and the late Karen (Larson) Becotte. He grew up in the Gwinn area graduating from Gwinn...

Jan 21, 2026

ISHPEMING, MI – James S. Talbacka, age 82, of Ishpeming, passed away Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at U.P. Health System – Marquette, while in the comforting care of his family and ICU staff.

James was born May 25, 1943, in Ishpeming, MI, the son of the late Sulo and Helmi (Laakso) Talbacka. He grew up on the...

Jan 16, 2026

ISHPEMING, MI – Barbara V. Tasson, age 80, lifelong Ishpeming resident passed away on Friday, January 16, 2026, at the Marquette County Medical Care Facility surrounded by family, the caring staff from U.P. Home Health and Hospice, and the MCMCF staff who loved and cared for her.

Barbara was born August 31, 1945, to Salvatore "Tuddy" and...

Jan 8, 2026

Ishpeming- Linda Sue Dishno, age 54, longtime area resident, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday January 8, 2026 at her home.

Linda was born in Greenfield, OH on April 11, 1971, daughter of Geneva Walker and the late Dewey Smith. She married Robert Dishno on March 8th, 2003, they shared nearly 23 years of marriage together. Linda was...

Jan 8, 2026

Ishpeming- Bruce Richard Greenwood age 79, longtime area resident, passed away on Thursday January 8, 2026 at UP Health System Marquette while in the loving care of his family and hospital staff.

Bruce was born on December 11, 1946 to Myrtle (Baker) and Verden (Red) Greenwood in Milwaukee, WI. He grew up with 2 sisters in Ishpeming...

Jan 5, 2026

NEGAUNEE, MI – Augusta Suzanne "Sue" Foster, age 94, of Negaunee, passed away January 5, 2026, at the Eastwood Nursing Center in Negaunee.

Sue was born January 3, 1932, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the only child of the late Leo and Isabel (Mockler) Rudnicki. She grew up in the Minneapolis area and was known from an early age...

Jan 3, 2026

Ishpeming- Eugene R. Larson Jr., age 84, lifelong area resident, passed away on January 3, 2026 at UP Health System Marquette while in the loving care of his family and hospital staff.

Eugene was born in Ishpeming on September 10, 1941, son of the late Eugene Sr. and Selda (Ahtonen) Larson. He attended Ishpeming Public Schools, and...

Dec 30, 2025

Ishpeming- Donald E. Cram, age 64, longtime area resident, passed away on Tuesday December 30, 2025 at his home.

Donald was born on February 26, 1961, son of Jeannette (Haines) Cram and the late Robert Cram Sr.. He grew up in Negaunee and was a graduate of Negaunee High School, class of 1980. Donald married Kerrie Gaboury...

Dec 28, 2025

Michigamme, MI - Elaine Charlotte Luke passed away on December 28, 2025 at Eastwood Nursing Center. She was born on January 2, 1930 in Crystal Falls, Michigan to Maurice and Norma Ball. She graduated as the Valedictorian of her Michigamme High School class of 1947. On June 9, 1951, she married Cameron Luke and they celebrated 72 years of marriage...

Dec 24, 2025

James Louis DeRoche, 79, of Iron Mountain, died December 24, 2025, after a fall down the stairs helping an acquaintance move household items.

He was born September 28, 1946, in Ishpeming to Laurence and Mildred (LaJoie) DeRoche. He graduated in 1964. A Vietnam veteran, he donated much time and money to helping other Vietnam vets. He worked...