OBITUARIES
Joyce Ann Routhier
Sep 29, 2026
Joyce Ann Routhier, 90, of Hurley, passed away peacefully with family by her side on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at the Villa Maria Health & Rehabilitation Center.
Joyce was born on September 25, 1936, in Saxon, to Carlo and Elizabeth (Cloud) Peite. She was united in marriage with Kenneth Routhier on March 5, 1955.
Joyce is survived by her daughter, Pam Sawaryn;...
Diana Helen Swanson
Sep 27, 2026
Diana Helen Swanson, 94, of Hurley and formerly of Pine Lake, passed away peacefully with her family at her side at the Villa Maria Health & Rehabilitation Center.
Diana was born on April 8, 1932, in Ironwood, MI, to Nick and Helen (Sekelsky) Bolich. She attended Roosevelt Elementary School and graduated from L.L. Wright School in Ironwood in 1950. In August...
Carol Jean Zimmerman
Sep 26, 2026
Carol Jean Zimmerman, 92, died peacefully on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at the Villa Maria Health & Rehabilitation Center in Hurley, just 2 days before her 93rd birthday.
Carol was born on September 28, 1933, in Minocqua, Wisconsin, the daughter of the late Kenneth and Marie (Tatroe) Slivinski. She attended Mercer School and worked various jobs until retiring at 79. Carol’s...
Gail K. Paternoster
Sep 23, 2026
Gail K. Paternoster, 91, of Hurley, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at the Villa Maria Health & Rehabilitation Center.
Gail was born on July 7, 1935, in Montreal, Wisconsin, to Sanford and Mayme (Bay) Soine. She was a 1953 graduate of J.E. Murphy High School. On August 18, 1956, Gail was united in marriage with Victor Paternoster at...
Harland Leroy Stone
Sep 23, 2026
Harland Leroy Stone, 78, of Hurley, WI, passed away on September 23, 2026, surrounded by his loving wife and family.
Harland was born on September 14, 1948, in Bessemer Township, Gogebic County, MI, to the late Carl R. Stone SR. and Ruth (Hotchkiss) Stone.
Harland proudly served in the United States Army from January 1966 to October 1968, in the 170th Assault...
Candice L. Koski
Sep 17, 2026
Our Mom, Candice L. Koski, born February 23, 1947, went to Heaven on September 17, 2026. She is now at peace and reunited with her beloved son Kevin, her parents, and the loved ones who went before her.
She leaves behind her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, her sisters, and all their families.
Candice loved her children Eddie, Kevin, Mavis, Shawn, Cory & Katrina...
Deborah L. Hahn
Sep 17, 2026
Deborah L. Hahn, 72, of Ironwood, passed away unexpectedly with her husband by her side on Thursday, September 17, 2026.
Debbie was born on April 17, 1954, in Omaha, Nebraska, to Wayne and LaRue (Beghun) Treder. She attended the Milwaukee College of Beauty Culture, where she earned her cosmetology license. Debbie and her mother later owned and operated their own hair...
Bernice Joan Verrette
Sep 14, 2026
Bernice Joan Verrette, 91, of Hurley, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 14, 2026, at the Villa Maria Health & Rehabilitation Center in Hurley.
Bernice was born on March 18, 1935, in Merriweather, Michigan. She was raised by her mother, Trula, her stepfather, Emmanuel Jurmu, and her great-grandparents, Gene and Lillian Windnagle, in Bergland. Bernice spent much of her life caring...
Allan Joseph Robinson
Sep 9, 2026
Allan “Joe” Robinson, 74, of Mercer, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at Aspirus Ironwood Hospital.
Joe was born on August 18, 1952, in Ironwood, to Sylvester “Robby” and Janet (Sunie) Robinson. He was a 1971 graduate of J.E. Murphy High School. Following high school, Joe enlisted in the United States Army and proudly...
Dennis Lee Lipske
Aug 25, 2026
Dennis Lee Lipske, 71, of Hurley, passed away on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
Dennis was born on May 8, 1955, in Ironwood, MI, to Clarence and Lois (Schlichting) Lipske. He graduated from Hurley High School in 1973. He went on to work for Louisiana Pacific in Mellen and WaltCo Currier Services. Dennis was united in marriage with Sherry Rice on September...
Rick A. Bock
Aug 24, 2026
Richard "Rick" A. Bock, 57, of Mercer, passed away on Monday, August 24, 2026, at the Aspirus Howard Young Hospital in Woodruff.
Rick was born on April 30, 1969, in Wakefield to Herbert A. and Sue (Miller) Bock. Following in his dad's footsteps, Rick was a logger. He spent his time hunting and fishing year-round.
Rick is survived by his mother, Sue;...
Albert Francis Ruby, Jr.
Aug 16, 2026
Duluth, Minn.- Albert Francis Ruby Jr., 84, of Ironwood, passed away on Sunday, August 16, 2026, at Aspirus St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth.
Albert was born on November 11, 1941, in Ironwood to Albert Sr. and Frances (Stancyzak) Ruby. Al enjoyed spending time in his garage, where he could often be found working on projects and enjoying his time there.
Al is...
Zachary Lawrence Korpela
Aug 12, 2026
Zachery Lawrence Korpela, 75, of Ironwood, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 16, 2026.
Zack was born on July 29, 1951, in Ironwood, to John Waino and Lyyli Marie (Niemi) Korpela. He attended Newport Elementary School and Luther L Wright High School in Ironwood, and was a 1969 graduate of Walled Lake High School in Walled Lake, MI. He went on...
William "Bill" Michael Topka
Aug 9, 2026
William “Bill” Michael Topka, 73, of Oma, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, August 9, 2026.
Bill was born on June 30, 1953, in New Jersey to William and Olga (Alesso) Topka. He was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Nancy Sager, on July 7, 1973. Bill enlisted in the United States Army and proudly served his...
Suzanne E Kero
Aug 3, 2026
Suzanne Elizabeth (Skoviera) Kero, 85, of Saxon, WI, passed away on August 3, 2026, in Hurley, WI.
Suzanne (Sue) was born on December 3, 1940, to Viola (Lantta) and John Skoviera, and grew up in Iron Belt, WI. She graduated from Hurley High School, class of 1959.
Sue devoted her life to her family as a caring wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother....
Emil "Chuck" Charles Vukovich
Aug 1, 2026
Emil Charles “Chuck” Vukovich passed away on August 1, 2026, at St. Luke’s Hospital, Duluth, MN. While he passed at peace and he will be sorely missed, we know he will add handsomely to the Heavenly team.
Born on July 23, 1952, in Ironwood, MI, to Emil and Anna Mae (Breen) Vukovich. Earning many All-Star honors before graduating from LLW HS...
Michael Frank Kowaleski
Jul 24, 2026
Michael Frank Kowaleski, 79, of Mercer, went to be with his Lord on Friday, July 24, 2026, at Aspirus Ironwood Hospital.
Michael was born on March 3, 1947, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Edward and Wanda (Skonieczny) Kowaleski. Following high school, he attended Milwaukee Area Technical College. He was united in marriage with Cheryl Hawkinson on July 22, 1972, in Beaver Dam,...
Ted David Erspamer
Jul 21, 2026
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Theodore (Ted) Erspamer, 95, of Hurley, who passed away peacefully on July 21st in Appleton, WI, with his family by his side.
Ted was born on June 3rd, 1931, in Ironwood, MI. He was the son of Leno and Mary (Babe) Erspamer. Ted graduated from Hurley High School in 1949. He served in...
Michele Elaine Skovera
Jul 20, 2026
Michele Elaine Skovera, 72, of Ironwood, passed away on Monday, July 20, 2026, at St. Mary’s Essentia Health in Duluth.
Michele was born on February 1, 1954, in Ironwood to Michael and Patricia (Grooms) Skovera. She was a 1972 graduate of L.L. Wright High School in Ironwood, and went on to receive her Bachelor’s degree in teaching from Northern Michigan University...
Kathleen Marie Longhini
Jul 19, 2026
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Kathleen Marie Longhini, 55, of Bessemer, on Sunday, July 19, 2026.
Kathy was born on September 14, 1970, at Divine Infant Hospital in Wakefield to Edwin "Fast Eddie" and Frances "Fran" (Galamba) Laurin. She spent her childhood growing up in Ramsay with her siblings Steve (Missy) Laurin, Julie (Joe) Pairolero,...
