obituaries
Recent obituaries in Wakefield, Michigan.
The obituaries in the Wakefield area reflect the region's diverse population, featuring individuals from a variety of ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds. Some were pioneers in their fields, while others dedicated their lives to community service or philanthropy. Their stories serve as a reminder of the richness and complexity of Michigan's history and identity.
Richard R. Herlevi
Oct 19, 2026
HURLEY, Wis. – Richard R. Herlevi, 98, of Hurley formerly of Ironwood Township, Michigan, passed away on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, at Villa Maria Health & Rehabilitation Center in Hurley.
He was born on Aug. 27, 1928.
Richard proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.
On May 16, 1953, he was united in marriage to the love of...
Walter J. Obremski
Oct 12, 2026
BESSEMER, Mich. – Walter J. Obremski, 83, of Anvil Location, Bessemer, passed away on Monday, Oct. 12, 2026, at Gogebic Medical Care Facility in Wakefield.
He was born on Oct. 9, 1943, in Milwaukee.
Walter was united in marriage to Jacqueline Allen in Bessemer.
He was a heavy equipment operator at White Pine Copper Mine.
Walter is survived by his wife, Jacqueline; three sons,...
James Edward Jenkins
Oct 11, 2026
IRONWOOD, Mich. - James “Jimmers” Edward Jenkins, 77, of Ironwood, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, at Essentia Health-St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth, Minnesota, surrounded by his family.
Jimmers will be greatly missed by his family, friends and all who knew him.
He graduated from Luther L. Wright High School and was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army. Jimmers was a...
Carol Gladyne Morrison
Oct 10, 2026
BERGLAND, Mich. – Carol Gladyne Morrison, 98, a longtime resident of Bergland, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, at Gogebic Medical Care Facility in Wakefield.
Carol married Arthur C. Morrison in Royal Oak on June 14, 1947. He preceded her in death in July 1998.
She was a licensed practical nurse at Grand View Hospital in Ironwood and a longtime...
Bonnie L. Sawicki
Oct 6, 2026
GILE, Wis. — Bonnie (Wicklund) Sawicki, 82, passed away peacefully on Oct. 6, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of devotion and steadfast love for her family and community.
Bonnie was born on her favorite holiday, Halloween — Oct. 31, 1943 — in Ironwood, Michigan, to the late Mauri and Helen Wicklund. Raised in Gile, she grew up with a deep sense of...
Sharon Lee Kolesar
Sep 30, 2026
IRONWOOD, Mich. — Sharon Lee Rainaldo Kolesar, 68, of Ironwood, passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease, with her loving family by her side.
Sharon was born on July 26, 1958, to Robert and Betty (Antonino) Rainaldo. She was the oldest of seven children and grew up in Hurley. Sharon graduated...
Marian Helen Nelson
Sep 29, 2026
BESSEMER, Mich. - With heavy hearts, we announce the death of our mother, Marian “Helen” Nelson, who died peacefully and entered into eternal life in Heaven with her Lord and Savior Jesus, surrounded by family, on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, at Villa Maria Health & Rehabilitation Center in Hurley, Wisconsin.
She was born Marian Helena Kangas in Ironwood on Oct....
Carole Mae Skovera
Sep 27, 2026
IRONWOOD, Mich. – Carole Mae Skovera, 84, a longtime resident of Ironwood, passed away at home, Sunday evening, Sept. 27, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.
Carole was born to Thomas and Sophie (Viste) Larson on Jan. 31, 1942. She was the ninth of 10 children all born at the family farmhouse in rural Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. She attended the Hainesville...
Janice Mae Oberg
Sep 22, 2026
WAKEFIELD, Mich. – Janice Mae Oberg, 77, of Wakefield, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026.
Janice, known to family and friends as Jan, was born on Dec. 4, 1948, in Crookston, Minnesota, to Talbert and Mabel Koppang. She was baptized and confirmed at Sand Hill Lutheran Church in rural Climax, where, at the age of four, she stood...
Louis 'Cookie' Laguna
Sep 20, 2026
MONTREAL, Wis. - Louis “Cookie” Laguna, a longtime resident of Montreal, passed away at home late Sunday evening, Sept. 20, 2026, following a battle with cancer, with his loving family by his side.
Cookie was born on April 11, 1951, in Ironwood, Michigan, to Louis Laguna Sr. and Mafalda Laguna. In April 1983, he was united in marriage to Colleen Schulze.
Cookie...
Bernard Leroy Pedrin
Sep 18, 2026
WAKEFIELD, Mich. – Bernard Leroy Pedrin, 84, a long-time resident of Wakefield, passed away at home, early Friday morning, Sept. 18, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.
Bernard was born on April 1, 1942, in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, a son of Bernard Anthony and Helen Margie (Biermaker) Pedrin.
On Nov. 4, 1961, Bernie was united in marriage to Karen Rachel Grinivic....
Eugene 'Geno' Joseph Milewski
Sep 18, 2026
IRONWOOD, Mich.- Eugene “Geno” Joseph Milewski, 87, passed away on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, surrounded by his loving family and close friends.
Geno is survived by his three daughters, Diana (Jim) Alexandroni, Donna Milewski-Dorner, and Debbie (Jeff) Lekies; grandchildren, Barbie Esterline, Robby Lampart, Nicki (Chris) Hudson, Janelle Lekies, Carissa VanVonderen, and Alesha Dorner; and many adoring nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in...
Lyle John Thompson
Sep 17, 2026
WAKEFIELD, Mich. – Lyle John Thompson, 72, of Wakefield, passed away early Thursday morning, Sept. 17, 2026, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital in Wausau, Wisconsin.
Lyle was born on April 4, 1954, in Wakefield, a son of Lyle Edward and Ilta Sulamit (Maki) Thompson. He graduated from Wakefield High School.
Lyle worked in the blacktopping business all of his adult life.
On May 11,...
Roberta Lynn Norman
Sep 16, 2026
PENCE, Wis. - It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Bobbie Lynn, or Nana Bobbie, was born on July 30, 1952, and passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026. She poured her heart into loving her family, and the way she made everyone laugh will be the basis of many...
Joseph William Doleshal
Sep 5, 2026
WAKEFIELD, Mich. - Joseph William Doleshal, 51, passed away suddenly at his home on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, with his family at his side.
Joe was born on April 13, 1975, in Rhinelander Wisconsin, to Joseph E. Doleshal and Diane (Brownell) Hartwick.
Joseph was raised in Watersmeet and spent the greater part of his youth on the family’s property...
Bernice J. (Koleski) Grbavcich
Sep 1, 2026
IRONWOOD, Mich. – Bernice J. (Koleski) Grbavcich, 97, a longtime resident of Ironwood, died peacefully Tuesday morning, Sept. 1, 2026 at Villa Maria Health and Rehabilitation Center in Hurley, Wisconsin.
Bernice was born on Nov. 27, 1928, in Moquah, Wisconsin, a daughter of Teofil and Bernice (Orzechowski) Kulesczyk. She attended Moquah Grade School and graduated from Ondossagon High School in 1946....
Aaron Tauno Aapala
Aug 30, 2026
CHARLOTTE, Mich. – Aaron Tauno Aapala, of Charlotte, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026, at the age of 50.
He was born on Feb. 23, 1976, in Lansing, to Richard and Gail (Ryskey) Aapala.
Aaron graduated from Charlotte High School with the class of 1994, and earned his bachelor’s degree from Kalamazoo College. Aaron lettered in football, basketball and baseball...
Betty J. Wiemeri
Aug 30, 2026
BESSEMER, Mich. – Betty J. Wiemeri, 98, of Bessemer, formerly of Ironwood Township, died peacefully Sunday afternoon, Aug. 30, 2026, at Gogebic Medical Care Facility in Wakefield, after a brief illness.
The former Betty Dorpat was born on April 1, 1928, in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, a daughter of Frederick and Gladys (Carlson) Dorpat. As a child, she lived between Ironwood and Milwaukee....
Mick McManman
Aug 28, 2026
BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. - Leonard A. “Mick” McManman, 64, of Brooklyn Park, passed away Friday evening, Aug. 28, 2026, with his wife, Carol, and family by his side.
Mick was born on “the Ides of March,” March 15, 1962, at the Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, Virginia, to Daniel and Sandra (Anderson) McManman. His early years were spent with his family in...
Todd A. Goman
Aug 27, 2026
IRONWOOD, Mich. - Todd A. Goman, 65, passed into Eternity on the morning of Aug. 27, 2026. Todd was born in Duluth, Minnesota, to Dale and Roberta Goman. As a youngster, Todd became an avid fisherman, played hockey and developed into quite a horseman. In 1974, the family moved into a Christian community in Federal Dam, Minnesota. In 1978, the...
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