Michael D. Foster
LAKEFIELD -- Former Lakefield resident, Michael D. Foster, 52 of Germfask, died Tuesday, March 12, 2002 at Marquette General Hospital. Memorial services will be held Saturday, March 16, 2002 at 11:00 am at the Newberry Pentecostal Tabernacle Church with Rev. Patrick McNeill officiating. Inurnment will take place at Riverside Cemetery in Germfask. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Norma L. Kinnunen
ISHPEMING -- Norma L. Kinnunen, age 72 of 135 Marble St., Ishpeming passed away on Tuesday, March 12, 2002 at the Bell Memorial Hospital in Ishpeming.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, March 18, 2002 at the Hope Free Lutheran Church with the Rev. Michael Burke to officiate. Burial will be at Northland Chapel Gardens.
Friends may call at Hope Free Lutheran Church from 9:30 AM until 11:00 AM on Monday.
The Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Helmi F. Schultz
BARAGA -- Helmi F. Schultz, age 83 of Baraga, passed away on Thursday, March 14, 2002 at Baraga County Memorial Hospital, skilled nurse unit. In lieu of flowers, the family deeply wishes that memorials in Helmi's name be made to the Baraga County Memorial Hospital skill nursing unit staff. The funeral mass of Christian Burial will be on Sunday, March 17, at 4:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church. Visitation will on Saturday from 6-8 p.m. at Jacobson Funeral Home and Sunday one hour prior to the service at the church. Fr. Greg Heikkala will officiate. Burial will be in the Baraga Cemetery in the spring. The Jacobson Funeral Home of L'Anse is assisting the family.
Lillian M. Smith
MCMILLAN -- Lillian M. Smith, 80, former McMillan resident, died Thursday morning, March 14, 2002 at the Tendercare Nursing Facility in Sault Ste. Marie, MI.
Graveside services will be held in the spring at the Columbus Township Cemetery in McMillan.
Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Monica L. Connors
GWINN -- Monica L. Connors, 77, of 210 Iron Street in Gwinn passed away Wednesday at Marquette General Hospital in Marquette. She was born April 1, 1924 in Nahma, MI and was the daughter of Frank and Nellie (Gulliver) McKinney. She married John Connors May 20, 1944 in Marquette, MI. Monica L. Connors is survived by: Husband, John, two sons, John (Sue) Connors of Charlotte, MI, Kevin (Paula) Connors of Marquette, two daugters, Karen (Bob) Hansen of Rock, Terry (Ben) Nummilien of Rock, ten grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents three brothers and four sisters preceded her in death. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 P.M. Saturday at the Anderson Funeral Home in Gladstone. Funeral services for Monica L. Connors will be held at 6:00 P.M. Saturday at the Anderson Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. James Holmberg officiating. Burial will take place in th Hillview Cemetery in McFarland, MI. The Anderson Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Norma L. Kinnunen
ISHPEMING -- Norma L. Kinnunen, age 72, of 135 Marble St., Ishpeming, passed away on Tuesday, March 12, 2002 at the Bell Memorial Hospital in Ishpeming.
Norma was born October 11, 1929 in Laurium, MI to the late Victor and Elma (Koskela) Lehtola. She married the late Waino Kinnunen on November 18, 1950. She and her husband lived between the Ishpeming area and the Copper Country until 1964 when they moved to Ishpeming permanently. Norma was a member of the Hope Free Evangelical Lutheran Church. She enjoyed cooking and baking, especially bread and pasties. Norma's family was important to her and she will be remembered as a very loving and caring mother and grandmother.
Survivors include two sons, Ronald (Barbara) Kinnunen of Negaunee and Roger Kinnunen of Ishpeming; a daughter Susan Kinnunen of Ishpeming; two sisters, Florence (Robert) Eckloff of Swanton, OH and Judy Schuster of Ishpeming; two brothers, Donald (Charlene) Lehtola of Jackson, MS and Gordon (Verna) Lehtola of Ishpeming; 11 grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren; along with several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Waino, in 1998; a brother, Arnold; and two sisters, Aileen and Susan.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00am on Monday, March 18, 2002 at the Hope Free Evangelical Lutheran Church with the Rev. Michael Burke to officiate. Burial will be at Northland Chapel Gardens in Negaunee Twp.
Friends may call at the Hope Free Lutheran Church from 9:30am until 11:00am on Monday.
Pallbearers will be Ronald, Roger and Jason Kinnunen, Donald and Gordon Lehtola and James Schuster.
The Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Russel L. Tripp
MARQUETTE -- Russel L. Tripp, age 82, of 2006 Bancroft St., died Wednesday evening, March 13, 2002 in his home. He had been in ill health for the past month. He was born on July 30, 1919 in Remus, MI to John and Ethel (Mark) Tripp. He was a 1938 graduate of Graveraet High School and had attended Northern Michigan University. Russ was a World War II Army veteran and later served in the Michigan National Guard. Russel was a former member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Harvey and a member of Messiah Lutheran Church. He was a member of Marquette Masonic Lodge 101, Valley of Marquette Scottish Rite Masons, Ahmed Temple Shrine and had been Donald Duck in the Heads Unit, member of the Hillbillies, Purveyors, and Tri-City Shrine Club. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 44. Golden K Club and will be remembered for his 45 years of playing Santa Clause. Russ enjoyed hunting, traveling, bowling, playing golf and woodworking.
Prior to his retirement in 1983, he was employed in the drafting department at Lake Shore Inc. for 32 years. Prior to that he had worked for the former Cliff Dow Chemical Co. for 13 years. He lived in Iron Mountain from 1958 to 1989, then moved to Sand River, and for the past three years lived in Marquette.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, the former Ethel Anderson; two sons, Jack (Mary) Tripp of Sand River and Lee (Ruth) Tripp of Woodstown, NJ; five grandchildren, Ed, Stephen, Alan, Denise and Judy; and 9 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Edward and Mark.
Funeral services will be conducted at 5:00pm on Sunday, March 17, 2002 in Messiah Lutheran Church with Revs. Nancy Amacher, Timothy Bernard and Chrys Levesque officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Golden K Club. Friends may call at the church from 3pm until the time of services. Burial will take place in Northland Chapel Gardens. Memorials in his memory to U.P. Home Health & Hospice, Messiah Lutheran Church, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Ahmed Temple Shrine Children's Transportation Fund
The Swanson-Lundquist Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Theodora J. "Teddy" Olson
MARQUETTE -- Theodora J. "Teddy" Olson, 72, of 777 Pioneer Road, Marquette, passed peacefully into eternal life Wednesday evening, March 13, 2002, at home, in the care and comfort of her family and Lake Superior Hospice. Teddy was born November 29, 1929 in Marquette,
a daughter of the late Theodore and Louise (Mahowald) Veiht, and was a 1947 graduate of the Bishop Baraga High School. She lived her whole life in Marquette with a winter residence in Florida for the last 16 years. Even though Teddy never worked outside
the home, she worked tirelessly within it. She was always there for anyone who needed her and set many examples for her family and others on how to deal with life's "ups and downs". This final fight with brain cancer, Teddy took in typical fashion. She
did the very best she could, accepted it as God's will, and never complained. She was a very special woman and will be greatly missed. Teddy is survived by her loving husband of almost 50 years, John "Jack" Olson; three children, Susan Johnson and Tom (Christine) Olson both of Marquette, and Steve Olson of Negaunee; four grandchildren, Jennifer (Kevin) Niemi, Jeffery and Justin Olson, and Christopher Johnson; one great-grandson, Jerred Niemi; a brother, John T. (Elode) Veiht and a sister, Betty Olsen both of Marquette; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Teddy was preceded in death by a sister, Lois Ann Yuma. The family will receive relatives and friends on Saturday, March 23, beginning at 12:00 Noon in the Bishop's Room at St. Peter Cathedral. A Memorial Mass will follow at 1:00 p.m. Saturday afternoon in the Cathedral with Rev. Msgr. Louis Cappo, rector, as celebrant. Teddy's life, and those of her family, were made much better in the last few months through the tireless efforts of the great people from Marquette General Home Health and Lake Superior Hospice. Special appreciation goes to Jodi Dix from Lake Superior Hospice. Everyone involved treated Teddy with the greatest care and the utmost respect. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Lake Superior Hospice. The Fassbender Funeral Home is serving the family.
Betty M. Holman
NEGAUNEE -- Betty M. Holman, age 82, of 120 W. Clark St., Negaunee passed away on Thursday, March 14, 2002 of an undetermined illness at the Upper Peninsula Home Health Hospice Unit at Bell Memorial Hospital where she had been a patient since March 8, 2002.
Betty was born November 26, 1919 in Mellen, WI, the fourth of seven daughters of Harry and Mathilda (Robert) Emmons. The family moved to Big Bay where they lived until 1925. After age 5 Betty was raised in the Sisters of St. Joseph Orphanage in Marquette where she completed an 8th grade education. In 1937 Betty married Clifton "Kip" Holman of Negaunee, where she spent most of the rest of her life. For 15 years Betty sold Stanley Home Products, after which she sold insurance for the Elder Agency in Marquette.
After raising her three daughters, Carolyn, Joy & Patty, Betty earned her G.E.D. At age 45 she attended Northern Michigan University earning he Bachelor's Degree in 3 years and graduating Summa Cum Laude. Her acting career began at NMU in her role as the Mayor's wife in "The Music Man" and ended in the late 70's with lead role in the PAAC presentation of "Arsenic and Old Lace".
Betty taught and coached debate at Negaunee High School. During her tenure as debate coach, Betty's teams consistently traveled downstate for State Finals where they took second place in 1970. Betty was an avid reader. She loved knitting and made Christmas stockings for all of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She loved playing cribbage and bridge and in later years loved attending and watching sporting events with her companion. George Hager. Most of all she loved camp on th Dead River Basin where she spent her summers watching her children, grandchildren & great grandchildren play on the beach.
Surviving are three daughters; Carolyn Anderson (Glendon) Neidholdt, owner of G&C Trucking of Joplin, MO, Joy Holman, retire Fitzgerald Public School Principal, of Warren, MI, Patty Holman, Psychotherapist, of Minneapolis, MN, 2 sisters; Lois Bolt of Leighton, PA, Joy Rollo of Traverse City, MI, 3 grandsons; Kurt (Inday) Anderson, Michael Anderson, & Christopher Holman, 3 great grandsons; Ronald Anderson, Jared & Kurt Anderson, 2 great granddaughters; Jennifer Anderson and Amanda Holman, as well as her dear friend and companion George Hager of Marquette. Betty was preceded in death by her granddaughter Deborah Ann in 1956, her husband Clifton "Kip" Holman in 1987, her grandson Randy Anderson and his wife Lois (Helstein) Anderson in 1999.
Memorials will be accepted in Betty's name at Upper Peninsula Home Health Hospice and Private Duty, 829 Croix St., Negaunee, MI 49866 or th Negaunee Senior Center, 410 Jackson St., Negaunee, MI. Friends are establishing a Betty Holman Memorial Scholarship Fund. Donations may be directed to the family at 120 W. Clark St., Negaunee, MI 49866.
Honoring Betty's request there will be no services at this time. A Memorial Celebration of Betty's life will take place at a later date.
The family's hearfelt thanks go to the Surgical Unit staff at Marquette General Hospital and the absolutely remarkable staff of U.P. Home Health & Hospice and Bell Memorial Hospital. Your truly loving and gentle care of our Mother in the last phase of her life will never be forgotten.
"Dearest Mother, words cannot begin to express how much we will miss you"
The arrangements are being handled by the Koskey Funeral Home.
Rosie L. Rentschler
NEWBERRY -- Former Newberry resident, Rosie L. Rentschler, 80, of Bay City, died Thursday, March 14, 2002 at Bay Medical Center in Bay City following a lengthy illness.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 19, 2002 at 1:00pm at the Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry with Rev. William R. Lane officiating. Interment will take place at Forest Home Cemetery in Newberry.
Friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday, March 19 from 11:00am until time of services.
Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Wiljo Henry John Leppanen
ISHPEMING - Wiljo Henry John Leppanen, age 81, of 709 N. 2nd St., Ishpeming, passed away Thursday, March 14, 2002 at the U.P. Home Health & Hospice Inpatient's Unit located at the Bell Memorial Hospital in Ishpeming.
Wiljo was born June 2, 1920 in Hammaslahti, Finland to the late Vaino and Sivia (Puustinen) Leppanen. He served in the Finnish Army from 1939-1944 serving during the Finnish-Russian War and World War II. He moved to Chatham in 1947 and has resided in the Ishpeming area for the past 50 years.
Wiljo worked as a miner for the Cleveland Cliffs Mining Company for 27 years working at the Mather A, Mather B and the Republic Mines, retiring in 1976. Wiljo was a member of the Apostolic Lutheran Church of Chatham and Ishpeming. He enjoyed woodworking, especially clock making.
Wiljo is survived by two sons, Gordon (Paula) Leppanen and John (Marcy) Leppanen; and a daughter, Mila Leppanen, all of Ishpeming; 11 grandchildren, Daniel, Michael, Jennifer, Steven, Sarah, Christine, Peter, Tara, Travis, Laura and Rebecca; and several cousins who reside in Finland. Wiljo was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Hilda (Maki) Leppanen and a son, Curtis Leppanen.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00pm Tuesday, March 19, 2002 at the Chatham Apostolic Lutheran Church with Reuben Anderson to officiate. Burial will be in the Pine Grove Cemetery in Chatham.
Friends may call at the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home in Ishpeming on Monday, March 18, 2002 from 5:00 to 8:00pm and at the Chatham Apostolic Lutheran Church on Tuesday from 12:00 noon until the time of services.
Pallbearers will be Daniel, Michael and Travis Leppanen, Richard Nault, Roger Kangas, and Steve and Philip Lillie.
Memorial considerations may be directed to the U.P. Home Health & Hospice.
Shiela R. Susec
MILWAUKEE, WI -- Shiela R. Susec (nee Hietikko), age 61, passed away Thursday, March 14, 2002. Beloved sister of Shirley (Eugene) Norberg, Betty (John) Schingkten, Beverly Hietikko, Raymond Hietikko, Janice Francart, the late Judy Emard, the late Warren Hietikko, Sharon (Robert) Radey, Catherine Hietikko and Mavis Caudill. Also survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Funeral Service will be held Tuesday, 11 AM at the Funeral Home Chapel. Entombment will be in Forest Hill Memorial Park. In state will be Tuesday, March 19 from 10 AM until the time service (11 AM). Sheila was proud to be a founding member of the Oil of Joy Ministries where she was considered a mother to the congregation. Memorials appreciated.
The Heritage Funeral Home in Milwaukee assisited the family.
Vianna M. Siik
NEGAUNEE -- Vianna M. Siik, age 83, of 98 Croix St., Apt. #123, Negaunee, died at 8:50pm on Friday, March 14, 2002 at the Mather Nursing Center where she had been a patient for 2 weeks.
Mrs. Siik was born July 8, 1918 in Negaunee to John and Lempi (Lemberg) Wirtanen and was a graduate of Palmer High School, Class of 1936. She had worked for H.W. Gossard Co. in Negaunee and was a homemaker. She was an area resident for most of her life other than 9 years in Rosendale, WI. She returned to Negaunee in 1995.
Vianna was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Negaunee and the Negaunee Chapter of the Ladies of Kaleva.
Surviving are 2 sons, Ray (Barbara) Jutila of Ishpeming and Robert (Julia) Siik of Norfolk, VA; 2 daughters, Joy (David) Johns of Orlando, FL and Julie (Edward) Mauermann of Rosendale, WI; a daughter-in-law, Elsie Jutila of Anoka, MN; a sister, Ruth Salo of Negaunee; 6 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Roy Siik in 1978, a son, William Jutila in 1999, and a brother, Edwin Wirtanen in 1977.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00am on Monday at the Koskey Funeral Home. Rev. David L. Echelbarger, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church will officiate. Burial will be in the Negaunee Cemetery.
Friends may call at the Koskey Funeral Home from 9:30am until the time of services at 11:00am on Monday.
Anthony "Tony" W. Trepczyk and Christopher Lee Trepczyk
CHRISTMAS -- Anthony "Tony" W. Trepczyk age 33, and Christopher Lee Trepczyk age 3, both of N7738 St. Nicholas Avenue, Christmas, died on Friday morning, March 15, 2002 due to injuries sustained from a fire that destroyed their home. Tony was born on March 25, 1968 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Alvin and Joy (Leppanen) Trepczyk. He graduated from Eben High School in 1986 and had served in the U.S. Army. Tony worked as a D.J. and bartender at Sylvester's for many years. At the time of his death, he was the head cook at the Cherrywood restaurant at Munising's Best Western Motel. Christopher was born the second son of Tony and Judy (Brown) Trepczyk and little brother to Anthony Robert on November 21, 1998 in Marquette, Michigan. Tony and Christopher enjoyed a lot of the same things. They both loved the outdoors, snowmobiling, and played every chance they could. Tony was passing down his love of computers to both of his sons and would have passed down his enjoyment of hunting and fishing. Christopher was a typical
three-year-old boy with a beautiful smile. He loved to pick on his big brother and torment the cats. He enjoyed walking through the woods with his grandpa and playing video games.
Although many of tne names of the and Christopher loved them all differently and individually. Tony is survived by his wife -Judy Marie (Brown) Trepczyk who he married on June 20, 1998; his children - Samantha Marie Trepczyk of Milwaukee and Anthony Robert Trepczyk of Christmas; his mother - Joy Wellman of Chatham; his father - Alvin and Barb Trepczyk of Rhinelander, WI; his brother Chad (Dawn) Trepczyk of Munising; half-brothers Jerry Brown III of Indiana and Jamie Brown
of Chatham, his parents-in-law - Bob and Becky Brown of Chatham; his brothers and sisters-in-law; and numerous nieces and nephews. Christopher is survived by his mother - Judy of Christmas; his brother - Anthony Robert; his halfsister - Samantha Marie: maternal grandparents - Bob and Becky Brown, paternal grandparents - Alvin and Barb Trepczyk and Joy Wellman; aunts and uncles - Bob (Cyndy) Brown of AuTrain; Chris (Steven) White of Vacaville, CA, Chad (Dawn) Trepczyk, Jerry Brown III and Jamie Brown; and numerous cousins.
Pastor Robert Tripp of the Munising Wesleyan Church will conduct a memorial service for Tony and Christopher on Tuesday, March 19, 2002 at 12:00 noon at the Bowerman Funeral Home in Munising. Visiting time for family and friends will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service.
For those people who are considering a contribution, a fund has been established at the People's State Bank in Munising and Chatham to help the Trepczyk family.
Betty Marie Gruenfeld
MUNISING -- Betty Marie Gruenfeld, age 78, of Munising, died following a lengthy illness on Thursday, March 14, 2002 at 1:05 a.m. at the Tendercare Health Center in Munising. She was born in Munising on April 1, 1923 to the late Frank and Edith (St. Our) Wise. She attended school in Munising and in 1948 she moved to Chicago and had worked there as a waitress. Betty returned to Munising in 1978 and worked as a cook at Tendercare for five years.
Survived by her husband of over fifty-two years, Adolf "Bus" Gruenfeld of Wetmore; children - Cathy (Ed) Davis of Wetmore, Kurt (Kelly) Gruenfeld of McHenry, IL, Mike Gruenfeld of The Pines, IN, and Judi (Lee) Colbus of Munising, Robert Wolf of Detroit, MI; 13 grandchildren; 5 great- grandchildren; one sister- Dorothy Linder of Colorado; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial mass will be held in memory of Betty at a later date.
