obituaries

May 2, 2025

PENCE, Wis. — Paula Irene (Vuorenmaa) Manzanares, 57, passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home on May 2, 2025. She was being cared for by her fiancé and "rock" of 16 years, Steve Korpela. Paula was born July 22, 1967, in Ironwood, Michigan, to parents Harold and Irene Vuorenmaa. She attended Luther L. Wright High School and...

Apr 21, 2025

JACKSON, Mich. – Lisa Ann "Oggie" Ogren, of Jackson, formerly of Ewen, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, April 21, 2025.

Lisa was born on Sept. 20, 1965, in Racine, Wisconsin, to Robert and Shirley (Hautamaki) Ogren. She grew up in Ewen, and graduated from Ewen-Trout Creek Consolidated Schools in 1983. A talented basketball and track star, Lisa...

Apr 19, 2025

HURLEY, Wis. – Helen E. (nee Wiemeri) Ademino, age 93, of Hurley, went home to be with her Lord, on Saturday, April 19, 2025.

Helen was born on April 6, 1932, to Gust R. and Alice M. (Sarlund) Wiemeri, and grew up in Bessemer, Michigan. She attended the Puritan School and A.D. Johnston High School graduating in...

Apr 15, 2025

Rodney James Passuello

IRONWOOD, Mich. - Rodney James Passuello, age 72, of Ironwood, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at the Villa Maria Health and Rehabilitation Facility in Hurley, Wisconsin. A devoted family man, respected public servant and beloved friend, Rodney was born on March 24, 1953, in Ironwood, to Reno and Ethel Passuello.

Apr 12, 2025

IRONWOOD, Mich. – Richard Traczyk, 69, of Ironwood, passed away on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at Aspirus Ironwood Hospital.

Richard was born on Dec. 7, 1955, in Hurley, Wisconsin, a son of Edward and Eleanore Ann (Lukaski) Traczyk.

He worked as a drywall installer in the construction business.

Cremation has taken place.

Apr 11, 2025

IRONWOOD, Mich. – Jack Raymond Huotari, 72, of Ironwood, passed away unexpectedly on Friday April 11, 2025, at his home.

Jack was born on Aug. 7, 1952, in Bessemer Township, a son of Frederick and Edna (Elsila) Huotari. He graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in Ironwood.

Jack proudly served his country in the...

Apr 7, 2025

IRONWOOD, Mich. - Long-time Ironwood business owner, Bill Penrose, age 74, took his final earthly ride and is now cruising on his motorcycle in the Great Beyond.

William Norman "Bill" Penrose was born to William and Gertrude (Nelmark) Penrose on April 23, 1950, at Grand View Hospital in Ironwood, and passed away at Aspirus St. Luke's Hospital...

Apr 6, 2025

HURLEY, Wis. - Ronald F. Morzenti, 84, of Hurley, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 6, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

Ron was born May 28, 1940, in Montreal, to Albert and Pauline (Cornetto) Morzenti. He graduated from J.E. Murphy High School in Hurley, with the class of 1958. After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S....

Apr 5, 2025

IRONWOOD, Mich. - Ruth Vivian (nee Koivisto) Johnson, born on Aug. 12, 1926, earned her angel wings peacefully in her sleep on April 5, 2025, in Ironwood.

She grew up on a farm in Erwin Township with 11 siblings as a beloved daughter of Jacob and Maria Koivisto. Her brothers were Jack, Matt, John, Reino, Eugene, Carl,...

Apr 4, 2025

IRONWOOD TOWNSHIP, Mich. - Robert "Bob" Lynn, 89, a longtime resident of Ironwood Township, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, April 4, 2025.

Bob was born on May 6, 1935, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the only child of Harold and Irene (DeGowin) Lynn. He graduated from Traverse City Central High School in Traverse City, Michigan, and...

Apr 3, 2025

WAKEFIELD, Mich. – Paul Leslie Linna, 59, of Wakefield, passed away on Thursday April 3, 2025, at Aspirus St. Luke's Hospital in Duluth, Minnesota.

Paul was born on May 13, 1965, in Wakefield, a son of Edward William and Patricia C. (Wood) Linna. He attended Wakefield High School and graduated in 1983.

Paul was employed...

Apr 2, 2025

IRONWOOD, Mich. - Joann Eva Mattson, of Ironwood, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at Aspirus Ironwood Hospital.

JoAnn was born Jan. 4, 1940, in Ironwood. She grew up as the youngest child in a large family on Margaret Street. She graduated from Luther L. Wright High School, Gogebic Community College and the University of...

Mar 30, 2025

IRONWOOD, Mich. - Mike Andrashie, 97, of Ironwood, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 30, 2025.

Born on May 1, 1927, Mike was the youngest of seven siblings, Julie, Mary, Anna, Andy, Joe and John, and was the last surviving member of his family. He lived a full and vibrant life marked by kindness, dedication and adventure....

Mar 29, 2025

Barbara Jean Westeen

BESSEMER, Mich. - It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Barbara Jean (Bubba) Westeen, who left us on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at the age of 82. She was a beloved mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Mar 29, 2025

IRONWOOD, Mich. - Roxanne Dee DiGiorgio (née Westeen; formerly Korhonen), age 78, of Ironwood, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 29, 2025, surrounded by family.

Born on Aug. 23, 1946, in Bessemer Township, Roxanne lived a life filled with kindness, quiet strength and a deep love for learning. A former teacher, she was passionate about education and...

Mar 25, 2025

HURLEY, Wis. - Gloria (Finco) Siirila, 88, of Hurley, formerly of Ironwood, Michigan, passed away on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.

Gloria married Arnold Siirila of Gile, Wisconsin, in 1956.

They raised four children: Bonnie, Dan, Roy and Mary. Gloria was involved in many organizations, MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Drivers) after her son, Roy, died at...

Mar 23, 2025

WAKEFIELD, Mich. — Evert A. Kivi, 93, of Wakefield, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 23, 2025, at Gogebic Medical Care Facility in Wakefield. Evert was born on May 4, 1931, in Wakefield, a son of John Axel and Lydia Wilhelmina (Rippinen) Kivi. He graduated from Wakefield High School. Evert proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during...

Mar 17, 2025

BESSEMER, Mich. - Francine Ann Kuse Sedovic, of Bessemer, died peacefully at home on St Patrick's Day, March 17, 2025, one week after celebrating her 81st birthday.

Franny was born on March 10, 1944, in Marshfield, Wisconsin, to Caroline Dorothy Feit Kuse and Ernest John Kuse, and raised in Park Falls, Wisconsin.

She married Ronald...

Mar 13, 2025

ANVIL, Mich. - Daniel T. Jurakovich, age 71, passed away Thursday, March 13, 2025, surrounded by his immediate family, shortly after meeting his great-granddaughter, Eden.

Daniel was born Oct. 2, 1953, to Joseph and Inez (Krainak) Jurakovich. He graduated from A.D. Johnston High School. He had various jobs from mechanic to truck driver.

On Aug....

Mar 12, 2025

MARENISCO, Mich. - Kathleen "Kathy" Angeline Mae Kauranen, 80, of Lake Gogebic in Marenisco, was called to her eternal home on Wednesday, March 12th, 2025, while surrounded by her family in a family home setting, just as she would want it.

Kathy was born in Chicago, to the late Salvatore (Sam) Battaglia and Mafalda (Mae) Martin Battaglia....