OBITUARIES
Jack W. Keech
Feb 1, 2026
Ironwood MI - Papa would like you all to know that his work here is done. In the quiet afternoon hours of February 1st, 2026, he received the call - the call for Papa to let us go.
The call to reunite with his beloved wife, Beatrice Anne (Longrie) Keech; his children and stepchildren; his grandchildren; his...
Robert F. "Bob" Samardich
Jan 26, 2026
Robert "Bob" Francis Samardich, 64, of Gile, passed away on January 26, 2026, at St. Luke's Hospital in Duluth, MN following long, difficult health challenges.
Bob was born on May 20, 1961, in Minneapolis and was the beloved son of George Robert and Barbara Jean (Goodrich) Samardich. He graduated in the class of 1979 at Cooper High...
John Gilbert "Gil" Kangas
Jan 24, 2026
John Gilbert "Gil" Kangas, 95, passed away peacefully on Jan. 24, 2026, at Aspirus St. Luke's Hospital in Duluth, Minnesota.
Gil was born on April 10, 1930, in Queen's, New York, New York, the son of John and Tynne Kangas, six months after the "Great Crash of 1929."
He graduated from Escanaba High School in...
Don M. Bugni
Jan 22, 2026
Donald M. Bugni, 79, of Hudson, Wisconsin, and formerly of Hurley, Wisconsin, passed away on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at Comforts of Home Assisted Living in Hudson.
Don was born on April 4, 1946, in Ironwood, Michigan, to James and Marianne (Celli) Bugni. He attended St. Mary's elementary school, graduated from J.E Murphy High School, and went...
Perchta Margareta "Pat" Norman (Rieger)
Jan 20, 2026
Perchta (Pat) Norman, 88, of Ironwood, passed away on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at the Westgate Nursing Home.
Pat was born on January 29th, 1937, in Hohenerxleben, Germany, to her loving parents Margareta 'Greta' (Thedens) Rieger and Johann 'Hans' Rieger.
Perchta was the oldest of four siblings, as was her mother (Margareta Rieger), and she...
Beverly Ann Beauchamp (Savant)
Jan 12, 2026
Beverly "Bev" Ann (Savant) Beauchamp, age 88, our beloved mother and grandmother, peacefully went home to be with the Lord on Monday, January 12, 2026, at her home in Anoka, Minnesota.
Bev was born on September 9, 1937, in Hurley, Wisconsin, to the late James "Jim" and Lena (Piazza) Savant. She attended grade school at St. Mary's...
Tye Alexander Hampton
Jan 10, 2026
Tye Alexander Hampton, age 63, died of natural causes at his home in Bessemer, Michigan, on Saturday, January 10, 2026. He was born on September 4, 1962, to Charles and Audrey Hampton in Joliet, Illinois.
Survivors include his daughter, Alexis Adamski, and two grandchildren. Also surviving are two sisters: Toni Piller of Mendota, Illinois, and Tina Meyer...
Ardith Nass
Jan 9, 2026
Ardith Janette Nass, age 90, of Windom, passed away on Friday, January 9, 2026, at the Good Samaritan Society in Windom, MN.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., followed by funeral services at 10:30 a.m., at the First Presbyterian Church in Windom, MN.
There will also...
Gary Bruce Smith
Jan 7, 2026
Gary Bruce Smith, 77, of Lake Nebagamon, passed away on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at his home.
Gary was born the son of Gordon and Enid (Hockick) Smith in Ironwood, Michigan, on November 19, 1947. After graduation, Gary served in the US Army in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968, until he received an honorable discharge. On September...
Russell Ray Buccanero
Jan 6, 2026
Russell Ray Buccanero, 69, of Iron Belt, passed away peacefully on January 6, 2026, in Minocqua.
Russell is survived by his wife, Jill, and his two sons, Jacob (Jessie) and Ethan (Rose); seven grandchildren; three siblings; special nephew, Brad; along with nieces, cousins, aunts, and uncles.
No services are taking place at this time.
Dale Gordon Pryor
Dec 20, 2025
Ironwood - Dale G. Pryor, 78, of Ironwood, Mich., passed away on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at Freeman's Nursing Home, Kingsford, Mich.
He was born on May 18. 1947, in Ironwood, Mich., to the late Thomas G. and Helen (Danowski) Pryor.
He was a graduate of Luther L. Wright High School in Ironwood, class of...
James Robert "Jim" Foley
Dec 17, 2025
Funeral Video Link:
https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/YFFZDCBMRX3BL8BZ
James "Jim" Robert Foley, 82, of Ironwood, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at Westgate Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
Jim was born on March 14, 1943, in Tracy, Minnesota, to Robert and Edith (Schons) Foley. He received his Bachelor of Science...
Gary Frank Ives
Dec 14, 2025
Gary F. Ives, 81, of Hurley, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, December 14, 2025.
Gary was born on October 22, 1944, in Green Lake, Wisconsin, to John and Leona (Quade) Ives. He was a proud US Navy veteran who recently went on the Honor Flight with his daughter. Gary loved the outdoors, and he...
Katharina Dorthea Exle (Riess)
Dec 6, 2025
On December 6th, 2025, Katharina Exle concluded her 96-year journey in life.
Born on November 2nd, 1929, in Sekitsch, Yugoslavia, to Margaret and Philip Riess. She grew up during the Great Depression with her older brother Philip while her dad worked as a miller. Surviving the hardships of World War 2, she'd go on to marry the...
Martha Marie Schill (Arnold)
Dec 4, 2025
Martha Marie Schill, 75, of Hurley, passed away peacefully with her family at her side, on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
Martha was born on March 21, 1950, in Wisconsin Rapids, to Luke and Veronica (Kundinger) Arnold. She was an active and faithful member of the Ironwood Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses. She volunteered her...
Gene Raymond Jaster
Dec 3, 2025
Gene Jaster, 85, of Hurley, flew away with the angels on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at his home, with his family by his side.
Gene was born the son of Raymond and Sylvia (Hill) Jaster on March 18, 1940, in Kenosha, Wisconsin. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1959 and was honorably discharged in 1963....
Karen Jean Henning (Maki)
Nov 30, 2025
Karen Jean Henning, 80, of Hurley, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 30, 2025.
Karen was born the daughter of Martin and Jennie (Maki) on November 22, 1945, at Newport Hospital in Ironwood. She was a 1963 graduate of Luther L. Wright High School in Ironwood. Over the years, Karen worked for her own stores, Bit O'...
Grace Diana Pankhurst
Nov 29, 2025
Grace Dianna Pankhurst passed away on November 29, 2025, at the age of 62.
She was known for her kindness, resiliency, and wonderful sense of humor. She enjoyed the outdoors, animals,
traveling, and learning new languages. Grace dedicated her career to helping others through her work at the Ironwood Area School District, Gogebic Community Mental...
Elizabeth Lynn Johnson (Schiavetti)
Nov 29, 2025
Elizabeth Lynn "Betty" Johnson (née Schiavetti), a devoted mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on November 28, 2025, at the age of 78. Betty was known for her unwavering faith, her enduring spirit, her creative hobbies, and her knack for finding the very best deals.
Born on September 16, 1947, Betty was a lifelong resident of the Upper Peninsula, attending...
Kenneth Alan Wyka
Nov 16, 2025
Kenneth Wyka, 54, of Montreal, Wisconsin, passed away on November 16, 2025, unexpectedly due to health-related issues in Escanaba, Michigan, with his canine companion, Jimmer, by his side.
Kenneth (Ken) Alan Wyka was born June 7th, 1971, to Marge and Richard (Pat) Wyka in Dearborn, Michigan. Ken grew up in Dearborn, Michigan, and was a dedicated athlete...
