obituaries

Nov 10, 2018

WAKEFIELD, Mich. – Karen Marie (Peterson) Libertoski, 75, a lifelong resident of Wakefield, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018.

Karen was born on Feb. 4, 1943, in Ironwood, the daughter of Albert and Marie (Champagne) Peterson. She attended Wakefield High School and graduated in 1960.

On June 20, 1964, Karen was united in marriage...

Nov 7, 2018

APPLE VALLEY, Minn. – Sydella Marie (Tiberi) Mascotti, 74, of Apple Valley, passed away peacefully Wednesday evening, Nov. 7, 2018.

Sydella was born on Nov. 26, 1943, in Wakefield, Mich. She attended Wakefield High School and graduated in 1961. Sydella was active in school, sports, (1960 state high school downhill ski champion), work and family. She gradated...

Nov 7, 2018

BESSEMER, Mich. – Debra Jean (Upton) Langdon, 64, of Bessemer, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018.

Debra was born on Feb. 2, 1954, at Divine Infant Hospital in Wakefield, the daughter of Lawrence Wesley and Jean Lorraine (Hoffner) Upton. She graduated from A.D. Johnston High School with the class of 1972. Debra continued her education for two...

Oct 23, 2018

REDDING, Calif. – Ralph Dexter "RD" Johnson III, 59, of Redding, was welcomed into Heaven suddenly and unexpectedly on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018.

RD was born on Nov. 10, 1958, in Harrisville, Mich., son of the late Eleanor Louise nee Bent and Ralph Dexter Johnson Jr., and spent his childhood throughout the Midwest, graduating from Emmanuel Christian...

Oct 22, 2018

BESSEMER, Mich. – Robert L. "Farmer" Gierl, 87, of Bessemer, passed away peacefully, with his loving family by his side, on Monday, Oct. 22, 2018.

Bob was born on Nov. 13, 1930, in Colby, Wis., son of the late Nicholas and Laurina Gierl. He graduated from Colby High School in 1948.

On Sept. 10, 1953,...

Oct 21, 2018

IRONWOOD, Mich. – Yvonne D. Johnson, 90, of Ironwood, a former resident of Bartow, Fla., for more than 30 years and a Waukegan, Ill., resident for more than 20 years, passed away Sunday evening, Oct. 21, 2018.

Yvonne was born on Dec. 30, 1927, in Milwaukee, the daughter of Bernard and Mary (Fabac) Voss. Her earlier years...

Oct 19, 2018

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Carol Jean (Dahlbacka) Stempihar, 69, passed away peacefully on Oct. 19, 2018, with the sun shining on her in Scottsdale.

Carol was born on March 16, 1949, to Arne and Eldora Dahlbacka, and grew up in Ironwood, Mich., where she formed life-long friendships and graduated from Ironwood High School. After attending Gogebic Community College...

Oct 12, 2018

WAKEFIELD, Mich. – Hans Carl Anderson, 75 years young, of Wakefield, peacefully passed away Friday, Oct. 12, 2018, at Essentia Health-St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth, Minn.

Hans was born on March 7, 1943, in Wakefield, to Howard and Julie Anderson.

He is survived by the love of his life, Linda Anderson; five children, Teresa...

Oct 11, 2018

WAKEFIELD, Mich. – Paul Robert Bennett, 87, of Wakefield, passed away unexpectedly late Thursday evening, Oct. 11, 2018.

Paul was born on July 14, 1931, in Romeo, a son of Kermitt C. and Geneva L. (Cook) Bennett.

For many years, he was a truck driver.

Paul enjoyed going to the casino and playing...

Oct 4, 2018

IRONWOOD, Mich. – Judith C. Clark, 75, a long-time resident of Ironwood, passed away unexpectedly late Thursday evening, Oct. 4, 2018.

Judith was born on Jan. 22, 1943, in Stambaugh, a daughter of Thad and Lorraine (Owen) Spencer.

On July 1, 1961, she was united in marriage to James A. Clark at Immanuel Lutheran Church...

Oct 2, 2018

Patrick James Walker

MARENISCO, Mich. – Patrick James Walker, 62, a long-time resident of Marenisco, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday evening, Oct. 2, 2018.

He was born on Sept. 24, 1956, in Whitefish, Mont., a son of Lee Frank and Arlove Marie (Kivi) Walker.

On June 21, 1980, Patrick was united in...

Sep 29, 2018

WAKEFIELD, Mich. – Duane "Dewey" Lane, 87, a lifelong resident of Wakefield, passed away suddenly Saturday evening, Sept. 29, 2018, at his home.

Dewey was born on April 10, 1931, in Wakefield, to Edward "Ham" and Irene (Pikka) Lane. He attended schools in Wakefield and graduated with the Class of 1949. During his high school years, Dewey...

Sep 28, 2018

WAKEFIELD, Mich. – Veronica "Verna" Skolasinski, 98, a long-time resident of Wakefield, passed away peacefully late Friday night, Sept. 28, 2018.

Verna was born on Oct. 10, 1919, in Wakefield, to Frank and Agnes (Patyk) Skolasinski. She graduated from Wakefield High School in 1937.

Verna lived in Chicago and worked for Time Life Magazine and...

Sep 25, 2018

WAKEFIELD, Mich. – Margaret E. (Bolen) Stratman, 96, a long-time resident of Wakefield, passed away late Tuesday night, Sept. 25, 2018.

Margaret was born on Oct. 11, 1921, in Wakefield, the daughter of William and Vivian (Pikka) Bolen. She attended Wakefield High School and graduated in 1939.

During World War II, Margaret decided to support...

Sep 25, 2018

WAKEFIELD, Mich. – Julia (Kleimola) Zielinski, 84, a long-time resident of Wakefield, passed away Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 25, 2018.

Julia was born on Dec. 6, 1933, in Ironwood, a daughter of Walter and Ida (Manninen) Kleimola. She attended Luther L. Wright High School and graduated in 1952.

On Oct. 23, 1954, Julia married the love...

Sep 18, 2018

BESSEMER, Mich. – Darrel Allen Stella, 63, of Bessemer, passed away peacefully at his home, during the early morning hours of Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018, surrounded by loved ones.  He is now with our Savior.

Darrel was born on July 1, 1955, in Ironwood, a son of the late Antonio DalSoggio and Elsie Elizabeth (Lassila)...

Sep 16, 2018

HURLEY, Wis. – Marcia "Kay" Lyon, a long-time resident of Hurley, died early Sunday morning, Sept. 16, 2018, in Hurley.

Born in 1915 in Tampico, Ill., Marcia attended and graduated from school there. She often told the story of a debate she had with Ronald Reagan, who was three years ahead of her in school at Tampico....

Sep 15, 2018

WAKEFIELD, Mich. – Gordon L. Schelde, 80, of Wakefield, passed away Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, at his home peacefully on Indianhead Road.

Gordy was born on July 4, 1938, in Duluth, Minn., to Edwin Oscar and Alice Louise (Anderson) Schelde. He had a sister two years older, Lois Ann (Schelde) Martinson. After graduating from Duluth...

Sep 12, 2018

WATFORD CITY, N.D. – Kasey Gene Ozzello, 31, of Watford City, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018.

Kasey was born on Sept. 11, 1987, at Howard Young Medical Center in Woodruff, Wis., a son of Woodie Ozzello and Sheila (Kahila) Ozzello of Wakefield, Mich. He graduated from Wakefield-Marenisco High School in...

Sep 11, 2018

LAKE GOGEBIC, Mich. – Bernard Garrett Hurley, 93, a summer resident of Lake Gogebic, died Tuesday morning, Sept. 11, 2018.

Bernard was born on Dec. 19, 1924, in Fulda, Minn., a son of Daniel and Emma (Schue) Hurley.

He proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

In 1949,...