Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties

Articles from the January 11, 2024 edition


Sorted by date  Results 1 - 22 of 22

  • Despite lack of snow, Sisu crews celebrate with food, fun

    Jan 11, 2024

    By MEGAN HUGHES [email protected] IRONWOOD - The lack of snow in Ironwood may have stopped the Sisu races from taking place, but it certainly did not stop the celebration. Organizers still held the annual Depot Dash at the Ironwood Depot on Friday afternoon and gathered the community together on Saturday for food and fun at the Sisu Expo. Hannah Panchi, an organizer of the Depot Dash, said the last-minute snow allowed them to hold the dash. If they didn't have enough, she said they l...

  • Hurley poised to get multimillion dollar housing project

    Jan 11, 2024

    By P.J. GLISSON [email protected] HURLEY — Hurley is on the cusp of getting a multimillion dollar housing facility that is structured to provide a creative combination of living and learning for those citizens who qualify for residence. Marketed as a “multifamily, affordable community,” the pending construction is expected to include 40 units with varying numbers of bedrooms. With the blessing of Iron County and the Hurley City Council, the project is a collaboration between Impact Seven, a nonprofit entity that invests in commu...

  • Wakefield votes to make belated July 4 contribution

    Jan 11, 2024

    By P.J. GLISSON [email protected] WAKEFIELD — Each year, the Wakefield City Council — along with the Wakefield Township Board of Trustees — contributes to the expenses of the annual July 4 celebration in Wakefield. Last year was the exception because the city’s Fireworks Committee learned that its nonprofit status had expired. “In late 2022, the city confirmed that the Fireworks Committee’s 501(c)(4) status was revoked on May 15, 2010,” wrote City Manager Robert Brown, Jr. in an agenda report for the council’s Monday evening meeting...

  • Bessemer clarifies citizen options in buying low-cost land

    Jan 11, 2024

    By P.J. GLISSON [email protected] BESSEMER — The Bessemer City Council voted on Monday evening to deny a request by Mark Switzer to purchase a city lot for $1. City Manager Christopher Frazer reported that Ben Tucker, who leads the city’s Department of Public Works, and city engineers noted that the property in question may be needed for the projected new Bluff Reservoir. “Until we figure out what chunks that we may or may not need, we’re not going to sell this property,” said Councilman Adam Zak. “However, if we do decide to sell a piec...

  • Community Calendar

    Jan 11, 2024

    Email calendar items and community news to [email protected]. For more information, call 906-932-2211. Thursday, Jan. 11 Bessemer St. Vincent de Paul, financial assistance, 9-10 a.m.; food pantry, 10 a.m. to noon. 906-663-4436. Ironwood St. Vincent de Paul, food pantry and financial assistance, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., located behind Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church. 906-932-4325. Gogebic County Veterans Service Officer, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Wakefield City Hall; 1-2 p.m., Watersmeet Township; 2:45-3:15 p.m., Marenisco Township. 906-667-1110....

  • Alice Carol Winifred Cox

    Jan 11, 2024

    WAKEFIELD, Mich. - Alice Carol Winifred Cox, age 88, of Wakefield, passed away peacefully on the evening of Jan. 1, 2024. She was the only child of Vernon J. Car and Agnes C. Uddenberg. Alice was born in Mikado, Alcona County, Michigan, on Jan. 5, 1935. Alice had been cared for over the last three years by her son, Bruce Cox, and for the past year has been visited and cared for by her former daughter-in-law, Patricia Nelson-Sherman. In accordance with Alice's wishes there will be a Christian...

  • Joseph James Jurasin

    Jan 11, 2024

    BESSEMER, Mich. - Joseph James Jurasin, 91, of Bessemer, died peacefully surrounded by family in the early hours of the morning on Jan. 7, 2024. He was born on Sept. 7, 1932, the son of Joseph and Julia (Serbin) Jurasin, and grew up with his eight siblings. Joseph attended St. Sebastian Catholic Elementary School and graduated from A.D. Johnston Senior High School in 1951 in Bessemer. He continued his education, and graduated from Northern Michigan University. Joseph Jurasin married the love of...

  • Barbara Jean Blodgett

    Jan 11, 2024

    WAKEFIELD, Mich. - Barbara Jean Blodgett, 85, of Wakefield, passed away peacefully Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, at her home, with her family at her side. Barbara was born on June 13, 1938, in Sault Ste. Marie. She attended the Wakefield schools and graduated with the class of 1956. On Nov. 28, 1958, she was united in marriage to William Henry Blodgett in Wakefield. William and Barbara moved to various places while William was employed with the forest service. Barbara then moved to Wakefield in 1972, af...

  • Frederick Philip Hedberg

    Jan 11, 2024

    ESCANABA, Mich. - Frederick Philip Hedberg, of Escanaba, went home in the arms of Jesus on Dec. 31, 2023, at age 89, with family by his side. Fred was born to (Swedish) Frederick R. Hedberg and (Finnish) Signe W. Hedberg on March 6, 1934, in Woodstock, Illinois. Fred is survived by his devoted wife, Sheila H. Hedberg (Rice). His three children include, Erick Hedberg, Ellen Frank and Rachel Stone. He is further survived by eight grandchildren, Rebecca Eagle, Breck Frank, Eryk (Abby) Hartmann,...

  • Nancy 'Sue' Hoeft

    Jan 11, 2024

    BESSEMER, Mich. - On Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, Nancy "Sue" Hoeft, 86, of Bessemer, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Sue was born June 14, 1937, to Viola (Heun) and Wallace Slade Sr. during the depression. She grew up on a small farm in Ironwood Township where she learned to work hard and accept sacrifice. She attended Newport School and graduated in 1955 from Luther L. Wright High School in Ironwood. She attended Gogebic Community College where she met the love of her life, Cla...

  • Alan James 'Big Al' Favero

    Jan 11, 2024

    BESSEMER, Mich. - It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Alan James "Big Al" Favero, 37, of Bessemer, on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, surrounded by his loving family, after a courageous battle with cancer. Alan was born July 2, 1986, in Ironwood. He is survived by his father, James; two children, Hailey and Aiden; his fiancée, Sara; a brother, Scott; his grandma, Gloria Simmons; and numerous other family members. He was welcomed into Heaven where he was reunited with his mom, Linda;...

  • Levi Forest Rencontre

    Jan 11, 2024

    DULUTH, Minn. - Levi Forest Rencontre, aged 28, walked on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, at Essentia Health, St. Mary's Medical Center, with his father by his side, after a courageous fight against Ewing's Sarcoma. Levi was born on Sept. 8, 1995, at Grand View Hospital in Ironwood, Michigan, to Edward Rencontre and Sandra Maki. Levi lived his early years in Bruce Crossing and later Watersmeet, Michigan, attending the Watersmeet Township School District and later the Ewen Trout Creek School. Levi and...

  • Raymond Armas Hautala

    Jan 11, 2024

    FAIRFAX, Va. - Raymond Armas Hautala, born Nov. 20, 1934, in Ironwood, Michigan, died peacefully on Dec. 31, 2023, in Fairfax, Virginia. Ray joined the U.S. Air Force after high school and served four years as a radio operator aboard various aircraft, including the B-29 and cargo transports. Upon discharge, he worked briefly in the iron ore mines in Ironwood before earning an associate degree from Gogebic Community College and a bachelor's degree in economics from Northland College in Ashland,...

  • William D. Eisele

    Jan 11, 2024

    AMELIA ISLAND, Fla. - William D. Eisele of Amelia Island, Florida, passed away Dec. 30, 2023, at the Lakeside at Amelia Island. Bill was born July 31, 1927, in Iron Mountain, Michigan, to parents Dr. David and Muriel Eisele. He was a graduate of the Luther L. Wright High School in Ironwood, Michigan, and of the University of Michigan. He attended law school at Southern Methodist University. He married Helen Holmberg of Ironwood, Michigan, on Dec. 27, 1953. Bill was the owner of William D....

  • Jacob T. 'Jack' Jacobs

    Jan 11, 2024

    IRON MOUNTAIN, Mich. - Jacob T. "Jack" Jacobs, 94, of Bradenton, Florida, formerly of Ironwood, Mich., passed away Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, at Inspired Living at Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton, Florida. He was born on March 3, 1929, son of the late John and Doris (Dascola) Jacobs. Jack grew up in Iron Mountain, and graduated from Iron Mountain High School, class of '47. He attended Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsinonsin. While attending Northland, Jack opened his own Army Navy surplus store in...

  • Betty A. Johnson

    Jan 11, 2024

    BESSEMER, Mich. - Betty A. Johnson, 88, of Bessemer, passed away peacefully Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, at her home. Betty was born on April 7, 1935, in Ironwood Township, a daughter of Uno A. and Jennie (Piispanen) Rundell. She grew up in North Ironwood, attended Roosevelt School and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1953. Betty was employed by Superior Bottle Gas Company, Big Powderhorn Mountain Ski Resort, Northwest Independent Agency, as a secretary at the Sharon Lutheran Church...

  • Richard L. 'Rich' Barriger

    Jan 11, 2024

    WATERSMEET, Mich. - Richard L. "Rich" Barriger, 59, passed away Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. Rich was born on March 26, 1964, in Walton, New York, the son of Raymond and Doris (Brown) Barriger Sr. He married his life partner Amy Sorensenon March 3, 2010. Rich, a long time Watersmeet resident, worked hard all his life to provide for his family. He was an employee of Nagel's Lumber Company for more than 20 years, staying on with them even after the mill closed down to help make sure that everything wa...

  • Dennis Klein

    Jan 11, 2024

    FENTON, Mich. - Dennis Klein passed away on Jan. 1, 2024, in Fenton, Michigan, from complications due to Parkinson's. He was born on April 14, 1939, in New York City to Robert and Malvina (Maxwell) Klein. In his teens, he moved to Sugar Notch, Pennsylvania, where he graduated from Sugar Notch High School. He immediately joined the U.S. Air Force and honorably served for four years working as a weather observer in diverse stations including Savannah, Georgia and Alaska. After his military...

  • Russell Robert Nyman

    Jan 11, 2024

    MISSOULA, Mont. - Russell Robert Nyman, passed away from cancer on Dec. 5, 2023, with his partner Penny by his side at their home in Montana. He was born in Wakefield, Michigan, in 1963 to Evelyn Tussa and Russell Nyman. For forty years, most of it in the U.P., he was employed as a logger and truck driver and had an excellent work ethic. With a cup of Holiday coffee in hand he would jump in his log truck and be onsite with ample time left to catch the sunrise. While growing up his family...

  • Arlene Ann Miljevich

    Jan 11, 2024

    WAKEFIELD, Mich. – Arlene Ann Miljevich, 91, a lifelong resident of Wakefield, passed away peacefully Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. She was a very kind and caring mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. Arlene was born June 20, 1932, in Wakefield, a daughter of Andrew and Veronica (Stempinski) Yatchak. She attended Wakefield High School and graduated in 1950. On May 20, 1950, Arlene was united in marriage to Vernon Eli "ToTo" Miljevich at the Immaculate C...

  • Robert 'Bob' Charles Schonberg

    Jan 11, 2024

    BESSEMER, Mich. - Robert "Bob" Charles Schonberg, 77, of Bessemer, passed away peacefully in his home on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023, surrounded by his family. He was born on March 22, 1946, in Fargo, North Dakota, to the late Wilford and Mayme (Anderson) Schonberg. Many remember Bob by his boisterous laugh and most likely had a nickname for those he cared deeply for. He enjoyed skiing, boating, snowmobiling, riding his motorcycle, driving anywhere or everywhere, finding a good bargain, and topping...

  • Michael Gordon Sanders

    Jan 11, 2024

    BESSEMER, Mich. - Michael "Mike" Sanders, of Bessemer, passed away on Jan. 2, 2024, at the age of 53. Mike was born Dec. 17, 1970, the son of Niles and Ingeborg "Inga" Sanders. He attended Ramsay School and graduated from A.D. Johnston High School in 1988. Mike grew up in Bessemer, raised on the family campground, Alpine Campground and worked there most of his life. He also worked for Powderhorn Ski Resort, Rose Wreath and Indianhead Mountain. As a child, Mike played youth hockey with the...