Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
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By JASON JUNO [email protected] MERCER, Wis. — Thursday night’s Mercer-Prentice sectional semifinal matchup lived up to the hype. Like the last two postseason meetings, it went all five sets. Unlike those two thrillers, though, Prentice came out on top, handing Mercer a heartbreaking 25-22, 21-25, 23-25, 25-20, 16-14 loss Thursday night. The top two players in the Northern Lights Conference, Jenny Klopatek and Eiley Schoeneman, played their final game. And their coach, Robyn Schoeneman, ended her varsity coaching career with 400 win...
By JASON JUNO [email protected] MERCER, Wis. - It took Mercer a little bit of time to get going Saturday night. But once they kicked it in gear, they were celebrating their ninth straight WIAA regional championship in a hurry. The No. 1 seeded Tigers rallied past No. 4 Mellen in the first set for a 25-18 win, won the next easily 25-8 and led the third 18-1 before closing it out for a 25-9 win. "This is our ninth one in a row, it feels amazing," Mercer senior Jenny Klopatek said. "We had...
By JASON JUNO [email protected] MERCER, Wis. — Mercer will enter the WIAA postseason as a No. 1 seed once again. Coaches voted the Tigers the top seed at Sunday’s seeding meeting ahead of the Oct. 22 start to the playoffs. The powerhouse program has been the No. 1 seed for six straight years and in eight of the last nine. They’ve won the regional championship the past eight seasons, including as a 2 seed in 2018, the only time since their regional title streak started in 2016 that they weren’t the 1 seed. All of those seasons were pl...
BESSEMER, Mich. - Joseph Robert Wroblewski gained his angel wings on Saturday evening, Sept. 14, 2024, surrounded by his family. Those of us that were blessed to have Joe in our lives knew he would always bring a smile to your face. He was devoted to his family. He was born on June 8, 1936, at Newport Hospital in the Jessieville neighborhood of Ironwood, to Andrew and Margaret (Hamil) Wroblewski. Both preceded him in death. He graduated from Bessemer High School. Joe was a member of the Army Air... Full story
By JASON JUNO [email protected] MERCER, Wis. — Mercer has improved a lot before their rather late home opener thanks to some tough competition at tournaments across the state. The home crowd saw them sweep South Shore Tuesday on a special night for senior hitter Eiley Schoeneman, who tallied her 1,000th career kill. Mercer is up to sixth in the Division 5 coaches poll and they’re a tough matchup for a lot of teams. “I think we’re doing well, I feel like our last tournament in the Dells definitely helped,” Schoeneman said. “We got s...
By JASON JUNO [email protected] MERCER, Wis. --- In a lot of schools, the start of football or basketball ranks as one of the most anticipated days on the sports calendar. In Mercer, it's the beginning of volleyball season. The Tigers began their quest for a ninth straight WIAA regional championship Monday with an evening practice. They played some over the summer, but that ended 2.5 weeks ago and there was already a bit of rust to get rid of, coach Robyn Schoeneman said. The first...
EAGAN, Minn. – Michael "Risko" Roman Ryskewecz, 71, of Eagan, formerly of Hurley, Wisconsin, passed away on Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, after a 20-year battle with Parkinson's disease. He was born on May 5, 1953, in Ironwood, Michigan, a son of Roman and Iris (Richards) Ryskewecz. Michael graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1971. After graduating, he worked at his father's body shop, Romey's Body Shop, then went on to work at McFarland's Cranberry Marsh, Ironwood Products and Bessemer A... Full story
WAKEFIELD, Mich. - Robert D. "Bob" Bruno, 71, of Wakefield, died after a long battle with cancer on Sunday, March 31, 2024, at his home. Bob "Mooda" was born Nov. 18, 1952, in Wakefield, to the late Peter Bruno and Julia (Decur) Bruno. Bob graduated from Wakefield High School in 1971 and went on to graduate with a bachelor's degree in education from Northern Michigan University. He taught at Ojibwa Correctional Facility until his retirement in 2003. Bob was an avid trout fisherman who loved the... Full story
EWEN, Mich. — Robert “Bob” “Ogie” Ogren, 79, of Ewen, passed away on Friday, March 22, 2024, at Bayside Village in L’Anse. Bob was born on Feb. 11, 1945, in Torrance, California, the son of Hjalmer and Lempi (Niemi) Ogren. He attended Ewen High School and graduated in 1963. On Aug. 30, 1963, Bob was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Shirley A. Hautamaki, at the Ewen United Methodist Church. They celebrated 60 wonderful years of marriage and were blessed with four children. He was a faithful member of the Ewen United Methodist C... Full story
BESSEMER, Mich. - Roger Boe Smith, 76, of Bessemer, passed away on Jan. 21, 2024. He was born in Pontiac, Michigan, on Oct. 5, 1947, to Arnold and Floyce Smith. Roger joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1966 and proudly served in Vietnam, where, despite being wounded and contracting malaria, he safely returned home to Michigan. After returning home, he reconnected with his high school sweetheart, Marcia, and together, they embarked on a long and happy life, being married for the next 49 years. He... Full story
IRONWOOD, Mich. - Gene L. LaCosse, 85, of Ironwood, passed away peacefully on Monday, Oct. 9, 2023, at the Gogebic Medical Care Facility in Wakefield. Gene was born on Oct. 28, 1937, in Negaunee, to Eugene and Sylvia (Saari) LaCosse. He attended school within the Champion School District. Gene was united in marriage to Karen J. Sampson on Feb. 20, 1987. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1955 to 1959. Following his honorable discharge, Gene graduated from Northern Michigan... Full story
IRONWOOD, Mich. - Richard Arthur Pallin, 88, of Ironwood, passed away peacefully Sunday, July 30, 2023, at Aspirus Eagle River Hospital, Eagle River, Wisconsin, surrounded by his loving family. Rick was born Oct. 26, 1934, in Ironwood, a son of Gustaf and Blanche (LaForge) Pallin. He attended St. Ambrose Catholic High School, graduating in 1953. Rick then went on to serve two years in the U.S. Merchant Marines followed by another two years in the U.S. Army, where he was honorably discharged in... Full story
IRONWOOD, Mich. - Ronald Oliver "Ronnie" Surprenant, 92, of Ironwood, passed away on Pentecost, May 28, 2023. Ronnie was a well-known and respected business man in the community and owner of Ronnie's Camera and Sound in Ironwood. Ronnie was born Aug. 16, 1930, to Oliver and Frances (Kutil) Surprenant in Ironwood. He attended Luther L. Wright High School and graduated in 1949. While attending high school, Ronnie was an accomplished athlete and involved in student government. He lettered in... Full story
RAMSAY, Mich. - Kenneth Howard Ahola, 83, of Ramsay, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 23, 2023, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital in Wausau, Wisconsin, with his loving wife, Betty, by his side. Kenneth was born on March 16, 1940, in Bruce Crossing, a son of John Howard and Lina Gladys (Koistinen) Ahola. He attended Ewen High School and graduated in 1958. Kenneth proudly served his country for three years in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany. He was honorably discharged as a specialist... Full story
EWEN, Mich. - Dale E. Sain, 91 of Ewen, passed away Dec. 8, 2022, in Wausau, Wisconsin, surrounded by family. Dale was born June 11, 1931, to the late Richard and Arla Sain in Ewen. He was a lifelong resident of Ewen and graduated from Ewen High School. In 1949, he married the former Lorraine Syria. He served in the U.S. Navy Seabees during the Vietnam Era. Dale worked for the Ontonagon County Road Commission and White Pine Copper Mine until his retirement. In retirement, he enjoyed going to... Full story
HURLEY, Wis. - Edwin Michael Edmark, 74, of Hurley, passed away on Tuesday, April 11, 2023. Edwin "Eddy" was born on Aug. 2, 1948, to Edwin F. and Lillian E. Edmark in Wakefield, Michigan. Eddy attended Wakefield High School and graduated in 1966. He served in the U.S. Army, enlisting in 1968, fought in the Vietnam War and was honorably discharged in 1970. Eddy was a member of the Wakefield Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9084. In 1974, he graduated from Michigan Career Institute in diesel... Full story
WASHBURN, Wis. - Carol Ann Trethewey (nee Endrizzi), 87, of Washburn, died on Feb. 19, 2023, at Memorial Medical Center in Ashland. Carol was born in Hibbing, Minnesota, to Ben and Pauline (Calvi) Endrizzi on Dec. 26, 1935. She grew up in Pence and Hurley, Wisconsin, graduating from Lincoln High School in Hurley and Wisconsin State College at Superior. She started her teaching career at a single-room schoolhouse in Montreal, Wisconsin. She then taught in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, before coming... Full story
WATERSMEET, Mich. - Arleen H. Schenk, 81, of Watersmeet, passed away Monday, July 25, 2022, at the Iron County Medical Care Facility, Crystal Falls. She was born Aug. 5, 1940, at Lac Vieux Desert Indian Village, daughter of the late Joseph and Jessie (McGeshick) Pete. Arleen was a beautiful gem of a woman who could light up a room with her smile. She had an unlimited love for her friends, family and tribal community. Even after giving all of that love, she still had enough love for her Detroit... Full story
IRONWOOD, Mich. - Marie Joyce "Ann" Mesich, 87, of Ironwood, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 21, 2022, with her loving family by her side. Marie was born on Nov. 22, 1934, in Tomahawk, Wisconsin, a daughter of Anthony W. and Gertrude (Winker) Ungerer. Ann graduated from Tomahawk High School in 1952, and she went to Milwaukee and worked for the American Heart Association as a secretary. While in Milwaukee, Ann met her future husband, Michael C. Mesich. On July 11, 1953, they were united... Full story
IRONWOOD, Mich. - Wayne Carl Beckman, age 88, passed away on Friday, July 1, 2022, at his home, surrounded by his loving family. Wayne was born on Nov. 29, 1933. He lived in Ironwood his entire life attending local schools and playing high school baseball for Coach Jack Kraemer. He joined the U.S. Navy in November 1951, and proudly served his country as a radar man aboard the USS Moale during the Korean War. He was awarded the National Defense, Korean Service, United Nations and Navy Occupation... Full story
WAKEFIELD, Mich. - Dewey L. Morrison, 98, a longtime resident of Wakefield, passed away on Monday, May 2, 2022, at the Gogebic Medical Care Facility in Wakefield. Dewey was born on Sept. 13, 1923, in Tula, a son of Henry and Esther (Hick) Morrison. He attended Wakefield High School. In 1940, Dewey enrolled in the Civilian Conservation Corps and was honorably discharged in 1942. In 1943, Dewey entered the U.S. Army, where he proudly served his country during World War II in the Northern Solomon... Full story
MILWAUKEE, Wis. - Gerald "Jerry" Hendrickson, 79, a lifelong Erwin Township resident, died Monday, Dec. 6, 2021, at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee. Jerry went home to his Lord, supported by the love of his family after a lengthy illness during which he personified faith, courage, spirit and strength. At the time of his death, he continued to live on the family farm that has nurtured four generations of family. Jerry was born Aug. 16, 1942, in Ironwood, son of the late Andrew and Ellen (Ahonen)... Full story
WOODRUFF, Wis. - James J. Kehoe Jr. went to join his loved ones in heaven on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021, after his valiant crusade with multiple illnesses and a continuing love of life. Jim passed holding hands with his wife, Mary, and sons, Nate and Adam, in Woodruff. Jim was born on Dec. 21, 1957, in Menominee, Michigan, to James J. Kehoe and Zoa LeErma "Mickey" Jones Kehoe. Surviving are his wife, Mary Jane (Molter) Kehoe of Conover; sons, Nathan of Miami, Florida, and Adam (Shannon Johnson) of... Full story
IRONWOOD TOWNSHIP, Mich. - Frank Pusakulich, 94, of Ironwood Township, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021. Frank was born on July 29, 1927, in Ramsay, a son of George and Anna (Soztonich) Pusakulich. He attended the Ramsay School and A.D. Johnston High School. Frank worked in Detroit for a few years, and returned to the area and worked at the Penokee Mine until its closing. He concluded his working career at White Pine Copper Mine, and retired in 1988. Frank was first married to... Full story
IRONWOOD TOWNSHIP, Mich. - Russell Saari, 81, a lifelong resident of Ironwood Township, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021, with his family by his side. Russell was born on May 18, 1940, to Arvo and Marian (Kooping) Saari. He attended Roosevelt School and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1958. After graduation, Russell enlisted in the U.S. Army and served from 1958-1960. He received several marksmanship awards. Following an honorable discharge from the Army, Russell worked at... Full story
