Michael Paul Kulak

ESCANABA, Mich. - Michael Paul Kulak, 73, of Ironwood passed on Nov. 25, 2020 at Christian Park Healthcare Center in Escanaba after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's.

He was born in Ironwood, son of Edward and Edith (Wilby) Kulak.

Mike married Donna (Korpela) of Ironwood, and they had two children. After his divorce he met his lifelong soulmate of 30 years, Marge Snarski. Together they lived in Hurley, Wisconsin until her passing. He was known as "Big Mike" to her children and grandchildren.

He lived in the Ironwood and Hurley area his entire life except for when he served his country in the United States Army from 1964 to 1967. He enjoyed his mining career at White Pine Mine until its closure in 1995. At the mine he progressed through various jobs and ultimately found his fit running heavy equipment. After the mine's closure he spent the remaining years until retirement working with the various heavy equipment he mastered.

Mike enjoyed hunting and the camaraderie of the 'camp' life throughout the years hailing from his post at 'Camp Bear Scratch' in North Ironwood to the area of the "Tula-Ticky swamps" near the base of the Porcupine Mountains. If he wasn't hunting the whitetail or small game, he was an active fisherman often competing in tournaments, vying for the local trophy catch. Even if he wasn't active in pursuing fish and game he always enjoyed being out in nature and often marveled at the abundant wildlife the Upper Peninsula has to offer. In fact, you probably would have caught him shooting wildlife with a camera more often than with a gun.

He has always been an active man. From his early days he was a member of the Norrie Amateur Sports Club, he was active in the pool league and the outings they would have at Norrie Park. He continued to be an active member of the "old-timers" baseball teams for many years.

Mike is survived by his two children, Angela (Bill) Burdick and Christopher (Kimberly Mitchell) Kulak; seven grandchildren, Ryan (Faith) Allen, Alyssa (Josh Richmond) Allen, Tyler, Gracie, Lainey, Madelyn and Haylee Kulak; two great-grandchildren, Hazel Ojaniemi and Benjamin Allen; and one brother, Barry (Barbara) Kulak.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Edith Kulak; and his soulmate, Marge.

A memorial service will be held at a later date with a spring burial to take place at Riverside Cemetery in Ironwood.

The family has chosen McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home of Ironwood to honor Michaels' legacy of life. You can leave a condolence or a tribute at mckevittpatrickkfuneralhome.com.