obituaries

Mar 26, 2026

KIMBALL, Wis. – Michael Paul Henning, 83, of Kimball, passed away on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at Aspirus St. Luke's Hospital in Duluth, Minnesota, surrounded by his loving family, following a battle with cancer.

Michael was born on Aug. 24, 1942, in Kimball, a son of Paul and Theresa Henning. He graduated from Hurley High School in...

Mar 19, 2026

IRONWOOD TOWNSHIP, Mich. – It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Darwin E. Olson, 2, of Ironwood Township, on Thursday, March 19, 2026.

He was born on March 28, 2023, in Shawano, Wisconsin.

Darwin is survived by his mom, Jessica Fernandez; his dad, Edward Olson; his paternal grandma, Charlene Olson; his...

Mar 17, 2026

HURLEY, Wis. - Jeffrey Allen Aspinwall Sr., 66, of Hurley, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.

Jeff was born on Feb. 25, 1960, at Grand View Hospital in Ironwood, Michigan, and was raised in Bessemer, Michigan. He attended A.D. Johnston High School in Bessemer and graduated in 1979.

Jeff attended college, but worked...

Mar 15, 2026

SAXON, Wis. - Robert James Jacobson, of Saxon, passed away on Sunday, March 15, 2026, in Wausau, at the age of 84 years old.

Robert was born on Nov. 3, 1941, in Paynesville, Michigan, to Norman and Mary (Lassila) Jacobson. He was born the fifth of nine children. Robert attended Paynesville School and graduated from Ewen-Trout Creek...

Mar 6, 2026

PENCE, Wis. - Daniel E. Swetkovich, 76, known to many as "Swek," "Dapper Dan," and "Fergie," passed away on Friday, March 6, 2026.

Dan was born Feb. 9, 1950, in Ironwood, Michigan, and he was raised in—and most recently lived in—Pence, just a short distance from the home of his parents, Verona and Earl Swetkovich, who preceded...

Mar 5, 2026

WAKEFIELD, Mich. – Katherine Louise (Shirkey) Wiita, 57, of Wakefield, passed away on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at the Gogebic Medical Care Facility in Wakefield, after a lengthy illness.

Kathy was born on July 3, 1968, in Flint, the daughter of Sharon Louise (Hawkins) and Calvin Lee Shirkey Sr. She attended Wakefield High School and graduated in...

Mar 3, 2026

IRONWOOD, Mich. – Dennis John Gayan, 76, of Ironwood, formerly of Bessemer, passed away on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at Aspirus St. Luke's Hospital in Duluth, Minnesota.

Dennis was born on Feb. 24, 1950, in Wakefield, a son of John William and Margaret Theresa (Tarnaski) Gayan. He attended A.D. Johnston High School in Bessemer and graduated in...

Mar 2, 2026

IRONWOOD TOWNSHIP, Mich. - With heavy hearts and deep gratitude for a life beautifully lived, we announce that Dan L. Waurio, 80, went home to be with his Lord Jesus Christ on Monday, March 2, 2026. Surrounded by loved ones and carried by faith, he entered eternal rest, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, strength, and unwavering devotion to...

Feb 28, 2026

HURLEY, Wis. - Timothy "Ponch" Bongiovanni, 65, of Hurley, passed away Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, at his home, surrounded by his loving family, after a brief battle with cancer.

Ponch was born on July 4, 1960, at Grand View Hospital, and was raised in Bessemer, Michigan. He attended A.D. Johnston High School and graduated in 1978.

Feb 22, 2026

WAKEFIELD, Mich. - Roger John Koivu, 78, of Wakefield, passed away at home surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, after a lengthy illness.

Roger was born on Feb. 17, 1948, at Divine Infant Hospital in Wakefield, son of the late Onni and Irene Koivu. He attended Wakefield High School and graduated in 1966....

Feb 22, 2026

IRONWOOD TOWNSHIP, Mich. - Sulo William "Bill" Romo, 83, of Ironwood Township, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, February 22, 2026, amidst his family.

Bill was born on Feb. 13, 1943, in Bessemer Township, a son of Hiski and Ina Martha Romo. He attended A.D. Johnston High School and graduated in 1961.

Bill was a proud...

Feb 21, 2026

IRONWOOD, Mich. - Wayne R. Allen Sr., 76, of Ironwood, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.

Wayne was born on Aug. 25, 1949, in Mercer, Wisconsin, son of the late Clarence and Bernice (Elias) Allen. He graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in Ironwood. Wayne continued his education at Gogebic Community College and earned...

Feb 15, 2026

IRONWOOD TOWNSHIP, Mich. - Joseph Thomas "Joe" Ruppe, 89, of Ironwood Township, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026, in Duluth, Minnesota.

Born on April 17, 1936, in Ironwood, Joe was the firstborn son of Joseph S. and Katherine L. (Verbos) Ruppe. A devout Catholic throughout his life, he was a long-time member of Our Lady...

Feb 13, 2026

BESSEMER, Mich. - Rose "Rosie" Aspinwall, passed away peacefully on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, at Aspirus St. Luke's Hospital in Duluth, Minnesota. Daughter of Peter and Alma (Barbacovi) Pelissero, she was born on Jan. 7, 1937, in Bessemer. She lived to be 89 years young, and lived in Bessemer her entire life.

Rosie graduated from A.D. Johnston...

Feb 9, 2026

HURLEY, Wis. – Shirley E. McRaniels, 86, of Hurley, passed away peacefully on Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital in Wausau.

The former Shirley E. Stuhr was born on June 6, 1939, in Mercer, daughter of the late John Henry and Georgia Ann (Schwartz) Stuhr.

She was married to Joseph M. McRaniels on...

Feb 8, 2026

Margaret Elizabeth Richard, 80, of Saxon, Wisconsin, was peacefully called home by her Lord and Savior on Sunday, February 8th, 2026, surrounded by her family. Margaret was born on July 19, 1945, in Door County, Wisconsin. She graduated from Sturgeon Bay High School in 1963 and married her high school sweetheart, Keith Richard, on April 20, 1963. Margaret was...

Feb 8, 2026

Michael Anderson

IRONWOOD, Mich. - Michael Anderson, 88, of Ironwood, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, at Westgate Nursing, Rehabilitation and Assisted Living Community in Ironwood.

Mike was born on Oct. 2, 1937, in Augusta, Wisconsin, to Otis and Myrtle (Olson) Anderson. He graduated in 1955 from high school and 1959 from UW Eau...

Feb 8, 2026

IRONWOOD, Mich. — Gary Francis Silc, 85, of Ironwood, passed away on Feb. 8, 2026, in Chicago. He was born on Sept. 20, 1940, in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, to Frank and Minnie Silc, and lived a life defined by adventure, integrity and deep devotion to family. Gary grew up in Sudbury and graduated from Sudbury High School, where he...

Feb 8, 2026

IRONWOOD TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Bartley Edward Domin, 70, of Ironwood Township, passed away at home on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, following a lengthy illness.

Bart was born on June 9, 1955, in Duluth, Minnesota, son of the late Edward J. and Norma A. (St. Catherine) Domin.

On Sept. 8, 1990, he married the love of...

Feb 7, 2026

IRONWOOD, Mich. - Edith M. Rundell, 90, of Ironwood, passed away peacefully in her sleep at home on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026.

Edith was born on April 3, 1935, in Ironwood, a daughter of Julius and Ruby (Kent) Vandenberg. She attended St. Ambrose Catholic Grade School and Central Elementary School, and graduated from Luther L. Wright High...