John Burgbacher, 87, of Hancock, passed away January 25, 2001.

Helmar T. Peterson, 93, of Tapiola, died January 24, 2001.

Lucille A. Perrong, 101, formerly of Laurium, died on January 22, 2001. Lucille was born Oct. 23, 1899, in Laurium, a daughter of Clara and Jospeh Perrong. She is survived by a niece, Marilyn and Tony Andreski of Iron River; a nephew, Robert and Marilyn Richards of Warren, MI; and grand nieces and nephews.

Julia Kulju, 95, of Calumet, passed away on January 24th. She was born Sept 11, 1905, to Sacrus and Briita (Rutaniemi) Waara. She married Sweeny Kulju in 1940. Sweeny died in 1986. Surviving are two sons, Gordon and Karen of Mathews, NC, Gary and Margaret of Lambertville, MI; and three grandchildren.

Florene M. Metsa, 79, of South Range, died January 23, 2001. She was born August 25, 1921, in South Range, a daughter of Henry and Esther (Johnson) Metsa. Surviving are two sons, Michael and Carol Bukovich, Jr of Painesdale, David and Pat Bukovich of Warren, MI; a daughter, Karen Jolley of Painesdale; 10 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

Anna (Lakner) Kestner, 91, of Calumet, died January 22, 2001. She was born Aug. 6, 1909, in Calumet, a daughter of Marcus and Anna Lakner. She married Joseph Kestner Jr. in 1936. Joseph died in 1941. She is survived by a daughter, Joanne and Joe Picciano of Calumet; two grandsons, Joe Jr. and Susan Picciano of Lafayette, OR, Jon and Rebecca Picciano of Sunnyside, NY; and a sister-in-law, Caroline Phillips of New Mexico.

Angeline Hrovatich, 91, of Calumet, died January 23, 2001. She was born in Calumet on November 26, 1909, a daughter of Louis and Margaret Stopar. She was married to John Horvatich. John died in 1969. Angeline managed the Albion Station Store for 25 years. She is survived by a sister, Christine Mitchell of Sarnia, Ont; a brother, Albert Stopar of West Bend, WI; two daughters, Marge and Ed Delaney of Camp Hill, PN, and Joy and Kenneth Elliot of Ocean City, NJ; 10 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

Janet Knuuttila, 62, of Dollar Bay died January 22, 2001. She was the daughter of Victor and Martha Johnson and was born on July 2, 1938, in Dollar Bay. She had been employed as a nurses aide and also in Food Service at Michigan Technological University in Houghton until her retirement. Her first husband John Krause preceded her in death. In 1992, she married Raymond Knuuttila. Surviving are her husband, Raymond; two daughters, Gerri and Donald Osborn of Sault Ste Marie, JoAnn and Brian Ohlrich of Woodland Park, CO; two step-daughters, Faye and Larry Harris of Sycamore, IL, Patricia and Daniel Rheault of Bootjack; four step sons, Robert and Jill Knuuttila of Cottage Grove, MN, Richard and Laura of Sycamore, IL, Michael and Terri of Dollar Bay, William and Lori of Neenah, WI; five grandchildren; 16 step-grandchildren; four step-greatgrandchildren; three sisters, Norma Jean and Paul O'Brien of Dollar Bay; her twin sister, Judy Allen of Waterford, MI, Nancy and Jim Stratton of Belding, MI; and one brother, Dennis Johnson of Cincinnati, OH.

Otto A. Stenson, 90, of Calumet, died Jan. 21, 2001. He was born Sept. 30, 1910 in Calumet, to E. Harold and Cecelia Stenson. He and his brother Lloyd operated Stenson Service Station and Garage. He was employed by the IRS in Detroit, Marquette, and Houghton, where he worked for 23 years, retiring in 1982. In 1942, he married Lucille Dimmer. He was a veteran, having served in the US Air Corps during WWII. Otto is survived by his wife, a daughter, Linda and James Mattson of Laurium; four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

Irene E. Rowe, 87, a former Laurium resident, died Jan. 20, 2001. She was born Dec. 22, 1913, in Laurium, a daughter of David Henry and Rose Temberth. In 1934 she married Henry Rowe, he died in 1985. Surviving are a sister, Ethel and Joseph Limback of Calumet.

George W. Bergerson, 77, of Baraga, died January 18, 2001. George was born in Pontiac, MI, son of Andrew and Elva (Giddings) Bergerson. He married Evelyn Saari in 1955. George served in the US Navy. He was employed at Celotex Corporation for 28 years, retiring in 1988. He is survived by his wife; sister, Grace Paquet of L'Anse; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Mary E. Raisanen, 83, of Calumet died on Janaury 17, 2001. She was born Aug. 16, 1917, in Allouez, a daughter of Matilda and Matt Seppala. She married John Raisanen in 1986. Surviving are two sons, Garnet and Jean Kotajarvi of Garden City, MI, Gerald and Mary Lou Kotajarvi of Madison, WI; two daughters, Susan Hall of Georgia, Betty Paul of Fridley, MN; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Mary Lipke, 94, of Houghton, died on January 14, 2001. She was born Sept. 2, 1906, in Raiano, Italy to Bennie Arquilla and Louise Tiberi. In 1924, she married Henry Lipke. Henry died in 1972. She is survived by a daughter, Margaret Ex of Houghton, a son, Robert and Barbara Lipke of Jonesboro, AK, nine grandchildrne; seven great-grandchildren; two sisters, Elena Kruse of Chicago and Edith and Roy McDonald of Traverse City, MI.

Elma M. Righter, 90, of Liminga, died January 12, 2001. She was born on Oct. 15, 1910 in Tornio, Finland to Victor and Maria (Nakkula) Aula. Sha was an RN, receiving her degree from Highland Park General Hospital. In 1937, she married Paul Righter. Paul died in 1976. Elma is survived by a daughter, Mary Ann Beiss of Detroit; a granddaughter, Jacqueline E. (Ofer) Mor of Ft. Meyers, FL; a great-granddaughter, Nicole Mor; a brother, Matthew Aula of Palm Beach Gardens, Fl;and a sister-in-law, Selma Aula of Cokato, MN.

Taimi Sylvia Tyyska, 87, of Ontonagon died January 11, 2001. She was born Nov. 2, 1913, in Mass City to Jacob and Edla (Maenpaa) Setula. She is survived by a son, Roger and Sharon Tyyska of Goodrich MI; and granddaughter, Laura Tyyska of Newport, R.I., Susan and Mitchell Ebbs of Goodrich, MI.

Douglas D. Muljo, 58, of Fulton Location died January 10th, 2001. He was born in Ontonagon, to Arthure and marian (Jestila) Muljo Laity. He enlisted in the Navy and was stationed at the Great Lakes Naval Base in IL. He worked in Chicago for several years at Etna Steel Mill, sailed on the Great Lakes and also worked for Longyear Co. Surviving are his mother, seven sons and daughters, Lisa and Jeff Schuster of Highlands Ranch, CO, Linda Muljo of Marquette, Scott and stacey of Lake Linden, Darren and Kim of Marquette, Brian of Coer d'Alene, ID, Renee and Joe Varios of Coer d"Alene, ID, Christopher of Baraga; two brothers, Byron and Kathy of Mohawk, Bruce Laity of Mohawk; two sisters, Jean and Dion Paquette of Lake Linden, Sharon and Mike Rozich of Ahmeek; and seven grandchildren.

Thomas E. "Bud" Ross, 84, of Ontonagon died Jan. 9th. He was born Nov. 6, 1916, in Ontonagon, to Thomas G. and Selina (Newton) Ross. He served in the U.S. Air Force during WWII. Tom married Dorotha Davison in 1944. He is survived by his wife, sister-in-law, Jessie Davison of DePere, WI, Donna Davison of Ontonagon, Janet Davison Henderson of Nev, and Sandra and Clifford Mattson of Racine, WI.

Eino Basto, 81, of Centennial Heights, died on Jan. 7, 2001. HE was born in Calumet Aug 5, 1919, to Jacob and Hannah (Wiitanen) Basto. In 1939 he married Ruth Keckonen. He was first employed as a milkman for Copper Country Dairy for 13 years, then he owned and operated the IGA store on Fifth Street in Calumet for 10 years. Later he worked at K.I. Sawyer Air Base for 12 years, retiring in 1980. Surviving are two sons, Carl and Fay of Negaunee, Allen and Karen of Ishpeming; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Arnold Karkkainen, 73, of Freda, died Jan. 9, 2001. He was born Aug. 6, 1927, in Mohawk, to Henry and Elna (Kuhmonen) Karkkainen. Arnie served in the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific during WWII. He married Agnes Nissen in 1950. He is survived by his wife; two sons, Steven and Sally of Schofield, WI, Arne of Freda; three daughters, Elin and Bob Mantta of Obenhoff, Ann marie and Kurt Schultz of Champion, Susan and Jerry Campbell of Oskar Bay; four grandchildren; his mother; and a brother, Melvin and Ruth.

William J. Tolonen, 88, a former Mohawk resident, died Jan. 5, 2001. Bill was born Dec. 13, 1912, in Bumbletown, a son of Jacob and Christine Tolonen. He had been a park Ranger for the DNR at Tahquamenon Falls, retiring in 1974. He served with the US Army during WWII in the Aleutian Islands Campaign. He married Eleanor Fack in Calumet in 1950. He is survived by his wife, Eleanor: two sisters, Evelyn and Bob Boulton of Knoxville, TN, Marcella Tolonen of Livonia; and several cousins.

Lucille L. Edwards, of Tamarack Mills, died on January 7, 2001. She was born November 3, 1916, in Allouez, a daughter of Charles and Ann (Hill) Larson. In 1938, she married Kenneth W. Edwards. Lucille worked for many years as a Secretary at Dollar Bay High Schoo. Surviving are her husband, a son, Michael of Calumet; and a sister, Bernice of Arbor Green in Houghton.

Laila H. Durocher, 85, passed away on January 6, 2001. Laila was born on November 16, 1915 in South Range to Kusti and Hilma (Loykkajarvi) Pekkala. She married Clarence Durocher in 1936. She worked at Superior View Restaruant in Freda until retirement. Laila is survived by three sons, Clarence Jr., Clyde and Stan; two daughters, Darlene Persha and Janet and Steve Borkowski; two daughter-in-law, Mary Durochers and Carol and Bill Vater, all of Freda; seven grandsons; five granddaughters, two great-grandsons; two sisters, Lempi Gustafson and Laina Johnson both of L'Anse.

James D. Tambellini, 60, of Calumet and West Allis, WI, died Jan. 6, 2001, at his home in Calumet after a courageous four year battle with cancer. He was born Sept. 20, 1940 in Calumet, the son of Dante and Mary (Sheehan) Tambellini. Jim was co-owner of Peerless Press/Wilke Printing Company until 1989. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Judy; his daughter, Mary and Jeff Foremen; grandchildren, Meghan, Brennan, Collin and Nolan; and a brother, Bob "Jack" of Milwaukee, Wi.

Anthony "Tony" Sinish, 68, of Oskar, died on Jan. 6, 2001. He was born November 17, 1932, in Chicago. Tony was a veteran of the Korean War, having served in the Marines as a weapons instructor. He was employed for Western Electric Telephone Company as an installer for 38 years. He married Mary Malm in 1982. Surviving are his wife; a step daughter, Nancy Ann Samuels of Centralia, IL, a sister, Delores Walski of Joliet, IL, a brother, Donald Sinish of Washington; two daughters, Brenda and Sandra; five sons, mark, Glen, Dennis, Gerry and Larry all of Chicago; 17 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Marybeth Jakovic, 70, of Houghton passed away on January 5, 2001, at her home. She was born on January 27, 1930. Marby was married to Joseph Jakovic in 1959. Surviving are her husband; a daughter, Karen of Dodgeville; a son, Mark of Dodgeville; two special grandchildren, Chelsea and Sarah; two sisters, Dorothy Madigan of Houghton, Mary Montgomery of Caledonia, WI; and a brother, Jack and Donna Laux of Houghton.

Albert F. Spruce, 64, of Baraga, died January 5, 2001.

Dr. Ward J. Frea, 68, Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Michigan Tech died on January 4, 2001, following an apparent heart attack while skiing. He wa born Sept. 19, 1932, in Iron River. Ward received his DB degree at Michigan Tech in 1954; his MS degree from Michigan Tech in 1960 and his Ph.D in Mechanical Engineering from the University of washington in 1963. He joined the faculty of Michigan Tech in 1963. Surviving are two daughters, Melanie Frea of Houghton, Jennifer Frea of Kalamaxoo; a son, robert Frea of New Lisbon; one sister Sarah Kelly of Monrovia, CA. and Valerie Frea of Houghton.

Paula Marguerite Usitalo, 62, of Trimountain, passed away January 2, 2001, at her home after a courageous battle with leukemia. She was born May 6, 1938, in Baltic, a daughter of William and Melba (Michel) Andreini. In 1956 she married Kenneth Usitalo. Since 1971, Paul and Ken co-owned and operated Usitalo's Service and Repair in South Range. She is survived by her husband; her mother; two sons and four daughters. Burial in the Mountain View Cemetery.

Ellen M. Voelker, 77, of Calumet, died on Jan. 2, 2001. She was born on Jan. 24, 1923 in Fulton, to Mathilda and Adolph Kannianen. She married John Voelker in 1946. Surviving are her husband; a son, Ronald and Cheryl of Battle Creek, MI; two daughters, Mary and Glen Manninen of Chassell, Sandra and David Hendrickson of Marquette; a daughter-in-law, Roberta and Gary Voelker of Oswego, IL eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; four sisters, Bernice and Henry Jenkins of Brighton, MI, Lorraine and Gordon West of Calumet, Martha and Dale Koski of Bootjack, and Bertha and Kenneth Anderson of Florida Location.

Fr. John M. Maloney, 76, of Kingsford, died Jan 1, 2001. He was born August 15, 1924, in Ishpeming, son of Thomas and Agnes (Hughes) Maloney. He was drafted into the US Army and spent four years in the American Theater of Operation. He was a teacher in Houghton and later became principal. In 1953, he assumed guardianship of his brother's three children and raised them along with his parents. After retiring, he pursued a vocation to the priesthood. He was ordained in 1987. He is survived by many nieces and nephews.

Arthur A. Mattila, 88, of Chassell, died on Jan 1, 2001. Art was born Sept 5, 1912, in Ironwood, a son of Emil and Hilma Lampinen Mattila. He was a veteran of WWII having served in the US Navy. Art worked for the former Chassell Box Factory, Michigan Technological University Grounds Crew and Norberg's of Milwaukee. He married Anna Serowski in 1948. He is survived by his wife and numerous nieces and nephews.

Uno Kyro, 77, of Elo, died on Jan. 1, 2001. Uno was born on Dec. 23, 1923, a son ot Hjalmer and Alma (Maki) Kyro. Uno worked in farming until 1967 and for 13 years he was employed by the Pettibone Michigan Corporation. He is a veteran of the US Army Air Corp. Uno is survived by a brother, Frank and Phyllis Kyro of Chassell; and a sister, Etherl Kyro of LaQuinta, CA.

Marcia Lee Kolemainen, 63, formerly of Laurium, died January 2, 2001. She was born on May 9, 1937, in Laurium, to Harold and Bertha Bastian. Surviving are two daughters, Kim and George Vincent of Cincinnati, OH, Shari and John Burg of Grand Ledge, MI; a son, Donald and Kristy of Laguna Neguel, CA; and seven grandchildren.

Margaret Dompier, 65, of L'Anse, passed away on Dec. 31, 2000. She was born on February 8, 1935 in L'Anse, a daughter of Dave and Mabel (Fredrickson) Anderson. In 1953, she married Joseph Dompier, Joe died in 1992. Margaret is survived by her mother; two sons, David and Vicki of Baraga, Jay and Renita of L'Anse; five daughters, Denise Giddings of Baraga, Diane and Mark Richard, Vicki and Frank Sanregret, Lori and Mike Egan and Tami and Jeff Larson, all of L'Anse; a brother, Ken and Anne Anderson of L'Anse; 20 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Solomon Taddeucci, 87, of South Range, passed away on Dec. 30, 2000 at his home. Born on Dec. 9, 1913, in Trimountain, he was the son of Jacob and Fernanda (Ciucci) Taddeucci. He married Lydia Balagna in 1946. Solomon worked in the Painesdale Mine and for various construction companies. He is survived by his wife; one son, Frank and Kim of Keweenaw Bay; a daughter, Mary of South Range; two step-grandchildren; a nephew, Jack Taddeucci of Royal Oak; and a niece, Angie Golec of Wellston, MI.

Mary V. Folk, 86, of Atlantic Mine, passed away Dec. 29, 2000. She was born April 9, 1914, in Onnela, a daughter of Matthew and Selma (Walstrom) Riipi. On May 29, 1939, she married Axel A. Fold. She is survived by her husband; one son, Dan and Evelyn of Peoria, IL; one daughter, Louise and Jeff Nuttala of Houston, TX; four grandchildren; one great-grandson; a brother, Ernest of Liminga; and a sister, Alice Aho of Keweenaw Bay.

Leonard J. Riutta, 94, of Houghton, passed away on December 31, 2000. He was born July 13, 1906, in Houghton, a son of Matthew and Sarafiina Riutta. He had done farming and was a woodsman for all of his lifetime. In 1938, he married Elma Korsman. Elma died in 1996. He is survived by three daughters, Carol of Hancock, Brenda and Michael Pelto of Houghton and Gail and Wayne Kauppila of Boston Location; eleven sons, Melvin and Madeline of Lake Worth, FL, Irving of Hancock, Dennis of Marquette, Michael and Helen of New River, AZ, Roger and Kris of Ishpeming, Paul and Kathy of Ishpeming, Tony and Liisa of Cave Creek, AZ, Stephen and Dianne of Ishpeming, Glen of Marquette, Mark of Houghton, Dan and Lisa of Osceola; 56 grandchildren; and 28 great-grandchildren.

Florence A. Rinfrette, 96, of Calumet died December 29, 2000. She was born in Hubbell, the daughter of Jacob and Henrietta (Kahler) Krug, on August 27, 1904. She married Frank Rinfrette in 1923, he died in 1985. She is survived by a sister, Lucille Brusso of Laurium.

LeRoy H. Blau, 89, of Laurium, died on Dec. 31, 2000. Roy was born Oct. 21, 1911, to Andrew and Elizabeth Blau in Florida Location. Roy worked at Calumet and Hecla for 25 years, and also for Gundlach construction and Ness Construction. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Gen; a son, Robert and Janet of Mukwonago, WI; a daughter, Marilyn and Bill Gangwer of Paulding, OH; a sister, Eva Kesanen of Laurium; a brother, MElvin of Kenosha, WI; 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

John Curto, Jr, 48, of Calumet, died on Dec. 23rd. He was born Sept. 1, 1952 in Laurium to Grace and John Curto. John was employed with Waarala Hardware, K-Mart, and the Copper Country Mall. He is survived by his parents; four brothers, Peter and Cindy, Paul, Billy and Michael; two sons, Shawn of Hancock and Michael of Green Bay; a granddaughter, Larissa Nemi-Curto of CO; uncle, Andrew Curto of Calumet and Aunt Eleanor Gasparovich of Lake Linden.