obituaries

Dec 20, 2025

HURLEY, Wis. — Bert R. Saari, 90, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, at Villa Maria Health and Rehabilitation Center.

He was born on Dec. 15, 1935, in Ironwood, Michigan, to the late Isaac (Ike) and Lempi (Jalonen) Saari.Bert graduated from J.E. Murphy High School in Hurley in 1953.

He was united in marriage...

Dec 15, 2025

WATERSMEET, Mich. - Mary Margaret Cestkowski, 92, long-time resident of Watersmeet, passed away peacefully on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. She was born Mary Margaret Gorshe on Feb. 26, 1933, in L'Anse, Michigan, to Joseph and Myrtle Gorshe. They later moved to Kenton and then Watersmeet, where she graduated from high school in 1950. After graduation, she moved to Detroit...

Dec 13, 2025

IRONWOOD, Mich. – James Edward Zeckovich, 70, a resident of Ironwood since 2023, formerly an 18-year resident of Mt. Vernon, Illinois, and formerly a long-time resident of Wakefield, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, at Westgate Nursing, Rehabilitation and Assisted Living Community in Ironwood.

Jim was born on July 30, 1955, in Wakefield, a son of...

Nov 29, 2025

IRONWOOD, Mich. — Larry A. Gerbig Sr., 73, of 707 Garvey Street, Ironwood, died Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, surrounded by his loving family, while hospitalized at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Larry was born on Feb. 11, 1952, in Milwaukee, son of the late Robert Gerbig Sr. (predeceased 2009) and Marylyn (Grayson) Gerbig (predeceased 1999). He was a graduate of Wakefield...

Nov 27, 2025

WHITE PINE, Mich. - Lucille Rose Beling, 93, of White Pine, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, in North Attleborough, Massachusetts.

Lucille was born on April 9, 1932, in Bessemer, and was the daughter of Richard and Margaret (Grasso) Zanetti. She was married to Raymond Paul Beling in 1955, and they had a wonderful 65+ years...

Nov 27, 2025

IRONWOOD, Mich. – Anton A. “Tony” Pertile, 89, a longtime Ironwood resident, passed away peacefully Thursday morning, Nov. 27, 2025, at home.

Anton was born March 1, 1936, in Kimball, Wisconsin, the son of the late Guy and Rose (Vittone) Pertile.

He worked as a mechanic at Bingo’s Garage in Wakefield, and then as a foreman at Northern States Power Company until...

Nov 26, 2025

KIMBALL, Wis. - Robert Charles "Bob" Vittone, 85, of Kimball, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025, at home with family.

He was born Aug. 22, 1940, in Kimball, a son of James and Esther Vittone. Robert served honorably in the National Guard. He was united in marriage to Delores Erickson on June 25, 1960, at Holy...

Nov 26, 2025

WAKEFIELD, Mich. - Bernard John "Bernie" Santini, 77, of Wakefield, died on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. He was born on Oct. 3, 1948, the son of the late Domenic and Ellen (Lein) Santini, and grew up in Ironwood. Bernie is survived by his daughters, Lori Ann Santini and Carrie Spratt (Stephen); sons, Tony Santini and Patrick Santini; sister, Linda...

Nov 19, 2025

RAMSAY, Mich. – Jerry Dale Grenfell, 87, of Ramsay, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at Gogebic Medical Care Facility in Wakefield.

Jerry was born on Sept. 9, 1938, in Bessemer Township, a son of Richard and Grace (Barron) Grenfell. He graduated from A.D. Johnston High School and Michigan Technological University.

Jerry proudly served...

Nov 19, 2025

IRONWOOD, Mich. - Hugo "Ray" Bastman, 74, of Ironwood, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, with his loving family at his side.

Ray was born on May 26, 1951, in Ironwood, a son of Hugo K. and Joanne (Polvi) Bastman. He attended Luther L. Wright High School and graduated in 1969.

On Aug. 25,...

Nov 16, 2025

MARENISCO, Mich. - Kathleen Frances (Groleau) Gunderman, 75, of Marenisco, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025.

Kathy was born to Catherine and Rudolph Groleau on Jan. 29, 1950, in Manistique, Michigan, and was raised in St. Jacques, Michigan. She attended Big Bay De Noc High School and graduated in 1968.

On May 31, 1969,...

Nov 15, 2025

WAKEFIELD, Mich. – Earla Jean Steers, 85, of Wakefield, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, at her home, surrounded by her loving family.

Earla was born on May 25, 1940, in Jackson, Michigan, the daughter of the late Beryl E. and Isabelle T. (Forrester) Tuthill. She attended Dexter High School and graduated in 1958.

...

Nov 8, 2025

IRONWOOD, Mich. – Mary T. (McHugh) Gribble, 70, of Ironwood, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2025, at her home.

Mary was born on March 17, 1955, in Hayward, California, a daughter of Thomas and Lila (Manninen) McHugh. She graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in Ironwood, with the class of 1973. Mary continued her...

Nov 7, 2025

HURLEY, Wis. – Daniel Michael "Vito" Zizzo II, 58, of Hurley, passed away peacefully on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025.

An obituary will be forthcoming.

Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield, Michigan, is assisting the family with arrangements. To send online condolences or to share a memory, please go to...

Nov 6, 2025

DULUTH, Minn. — "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness." 2 Timothy 3: 7-8 Dennis Besonen, 78, of Ironwood, Michigan, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Nov. 6, 2025. He passed away at Essentia...

Nov 5, 2025

IRONWOOD, Mich. - Michael Richard Wiemeri, age 72, passed away at home on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, from complications of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease with his family at his side.

Michael was born on October 25, 1953, to Waino and Aili (Hill) Wiemeri in Ironwood. He grew up on Airport Road and had lots of tales of...

Nov 2, 2025

MONTREAL, Wis. – Kenneth John Pellinen, 69, of Montreal, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, at his home.

Ken was born on Jan. 29, 1956, in Ironwood, Michigan, a son of Stanley and Ellen (Brenden) Pellinen. He attended Luther L. Wright High School in Ironwood and graduated in 1974.

Ken proudly served his...

Oct 30, 2025

IRONWOOD, Mich. – Doris Mae Wroblewski, 84, of Ironwood, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at her home.

Doris was born on May 24, 1941, in Magnolia, Arkansas, a daughter of Stephen and Viola (Nettleblad) Dudra. Shortly there after she and her parents moved back to Ironwood. Doris attended Luther L. Wright High School and...

Oct 27, 2025

IRONWOOD, Mich. – Joyce H. Lampart, 83, of Jackson Road, in Ironwood Township, passed away peacefully on Monday, Oct. 27, 2025, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital, Wausau, Wisconsin, with her loving family at her side.

Joyce was born on March 15, 1942, in Ironwood, a daughter of Arvo and Helen V. Maki. She graduated from Luther L. Wright...

Oct 15, 2025

Ironwood, MI – David John Nezworski (Nezi), age 75, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025, in his hometown of Ironwood, Michigan, with his loving family at his side after a very brief battle with cancer.

David graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1968. Shortly after, he proudly served in the Army National Guard...