James LaCourt
IRON MOUNTAIN — James D. LaCourt, 81, of 1304 West B St., Iron Mountain, died Sunday, Oct. 14, 2001, at Dickinson County Memorial Hospital in Iron Mountain.
He was born Oct. 19, 1919, in Sagola, son of the late James and Marion (Dunbar) LaCourt. He graduated from Channing High School in 1937.
He married Elayne Groleau on Feb. 1, 1940, in Florence, Wis.
James was a staff sergeant with the 1266th Engineer Combat Battalion in the U.S. Army from 1944 to 1946.
He worked for the Iron Mountain Gas Co. as a delivery man for more than 30 years, retiring in 1981.
James enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling and spending time up at camp with his friends.
He loved spending time with his family.
James is survived by his wife, Elayne; three children, Diane (Roger) Wendorf of Grafton, Wis., Pamela Supa of Green Bay, Wis., and Tim LaCourt of Houston, Texas; a brother, Jon (Debbie) LaCourt of Kingsford; five grandchildren, Teresa (Robert) Wiitanen, Christopher (Cindy) Wendorf, Mark (Margaret) Supa, Michael (Jennifer) Wendorf, Shelly (John) Behnke; seven great-grandchildren, Luke, Buck and Ty Wendorf, Emily Wiitanen, Braydon and Shea Supa and Hannah Wendorf, and many nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by a brother, Charles LaCourt, and a sister, Barbara Anderson.
Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain.
Memorial services will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Rev. David Anderson will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Dickinson County Chapter of the American Cancer Society or to the charity of your choice.
The Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain is in charge of arrangements.
Judith Goriesky
IRON RIVER — Judith M. Goriesky, 73, of Holiday, Fla., formerly of Iron River, died Monday, Oct. 15, 2001, at the Hernando Pasco Center in New Port Ritchey, Fla.
She was born Sept. 1, 1928, in Iron River, daughter of the late Charles and Emma (Charboneau) Swanson. She attended the Bates and Iron River schools.
Mrs. Goriesky attended the U.P. Beauty Academy in Iron Mountain. She owned and operated Riteway Beauty Shop in Iron River for many years, retiring in 1990.
She married Edmund Goriesky on Sept. 24, 1949, at Blessed Sacrament Church in Stambaugh. The couple made their home in Iron River and Holiday, Fla. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1991.
Mrs. Goriesky was a member of St. Agnes Catholic Church, St. Agnes Altar Society, the American Legion Auxiliary, Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary and the Lady Elks.
She was also preceded in death by her son, Thomas and a brother, Roy Swanson.
She is survived by a son, Jeffrey (Frances) Goriesky of North Branch, lower Michigan; a daughter, Peggy (Randall) Wilcox of Milford, lower Michigan; a brother, Clarence Swanson of Iron River; four grandchildren, Kate and Andrew Wilcox and Benjamin and Joshua Goriesky; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held Thursday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Jacobs Funeral Home in Iron River.
Funeral services will be held Friday at 9:45 a.m. at the funeral home and at 10 a.m. at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Iron River. Rev. Norman Clisch, pastor and Deacon Robert Kostka will concelebrate the Mass of Christian Burial. Burial will be in Resthaven Cemetery in Iron River.
The Jacobs Funeral Home of Iron River is in charge of funeral arrangements.
Jane Gay
HAMILTON LAKES — Jane E. Gay, 81, of W-3979 Lake Mary Drive, Hamilton Lakes, died Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2001, at her home.
Mrs. Gay was born Dec. 14, 1919, in Kimberly, Wis., daughter of the late Albert and Lillian (Heling) Fulcer.
She married William Gay Sr. on Jan. 12, 1939, and he preceded her in death on Sept. 4, 1986. She and her husband had been residents of this area since 1946.
After retirement they spent the winters in Sun City, Ariz.
Mrs. Gay was a member of Lakeview United Methodist Church in Sun City and attended Grace United Methodist Church in Norway.
She was extremely active in volunteer work and contributed her time and energy to many civic organizations and church functions.
Mrs. Gay enjoyed shopping and eating out. Her great love was entertaining. She was always at her best when surrounded by many people.
In addition to her husband, she was also preceded in death by a grandson; two sisters, and a brother.
She leaves a daughter, Suelen (Dr. Robert) Calderwood of Spread Eagle, Wis.; three sons, William (Susanne) Gay of Menomonee Falls, Wis., Robert (Alana) Gay of Las Vegas, Nev., and John (Tamara) Gay of Pinckney, lower Michigan; nine grandchildren, Robert (Dawn) and Scott Calderwood, Alissa (Bradd) Mosal and David (Jacqueline) Gay, Kimberly (Rob) Kowalczik, Robin (Matt) Zanatta and Michael Gay, Adam and Ashley Gay. She was G.G. to Keegan Calderwood, Robert Geddis Calderwood IV, Darren Mosal, Tanner and Austin Kowalczik, and Dawson Zanatta. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. Friday at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain.
The funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Friday at the at the funeral home. Rev. David Anderson will officiate.
Burial will be at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Highland Memorial Park Cemetery in Appleton, Wis.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial may be made in her memory to the Make-A-Wish Foundation or the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin.
The Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain is in charge of arrangements.
Rose DeLongchamp
NIAGARA, Wis. — Rose DeLongchamp, 90, of 2301 River St., Niagara, died Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2001, at Dickinson County Memorial Hospital in Iron Mountain.
She was born Oct. 23, 1910, in St. Louis, Mo., daughter of the late Vincent and Angeline Kopka. At a young age, Rose moved to Armstrong Creek, Wis., where she attended school.
She married Fred DeLongchamp in November of 1928, in Armstrong Creek.
They resided there until the early ’40s when they moved to Niagara.
Rose was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church in Niagara.
She enjoyed many hobbies, including sewing, reading, birds, animals, watching the Green Bay Packers and most of all spending time with her family and grandchildren.
Rose is survived by a son, James (June) DeLongchamp of Kingsford; a daughter, Elaine (William) Sherman of Niagara; two brothers, Walter (Millie) Kopka of Milwaukee and Benjamin Kopka of Armstrong Creek; three sisters, Emily Wolnik of Chicago, Helen Woliczek of Chicago and Agnes Jock of Argonne, Wis.; 10 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; a great-great-granddaughter, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred, in 1977; an infant son, Donald; two brothers, Frank and Alexander, and three sisters, Anna Styzinski, Betty Kille and Mary Kowalski.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Niagara.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the church. Fr. Ray Valerio will officiate.
Burial will be in Niagara Cemetery.
Rose’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren will serve as pallbearers.
The family is being served by the Jacobs Funeral Home, Niagara Chapel.
Gerald Robertson
WAUSAUKEE, Wis. — Gerald “Jerry” Wallace Robertson, 55, of Iron Mountain died unexpectedly Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2001, following a brief and valiant struggle with cancer.
Jerry was born March 1, 1946, in Iron Mountain, son of Gerald Melvin Robertson and Miriam (Robertson) LaLonde. He graduated from Pembine High School, where he excelled in student sports. He later attended Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in Green Bay, Wis., and the Milwaukee School of Engineering.
He was then employed by Evinrude Motors of Milwaukee.
Jerry married Sandra Jean Nelson on July 2, 1966, in Goodman, Wis. They then owned and operated Jerry and Sandy’s Bar & Grill in Dunbar, Wis. for many years.
He was an avid golfer and loved all outdoor sports. He belonged to the Dunbar Sportsmens Club, the Lions Club and several other service organizations.
Jerry’s quick wit and “social caring” made him a joy to be with.
He will be sadly missed by his long time friend and companion, Delores Branam of Iron Mountain; his daughter, Jeri Lynn (Thomas) Renier of Faithorn; his son, Scott (Carmen) Robertson of Fulton, N.Y.; six grandchildren, Ryan, Tommy, Kayla, Ellery, Brandon and Lacey; his mother, Miriam (Don) LaLonde of Pembine, Wis.; two sisters, April (Larry) Anderson of Cokato, Minn., and Lillian (William) Hess of Deltona Beach, Fla.; a brother, Francis Peter (Patti) Bierstaker of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; stepbrothers, Glendle and Larry Bierstaker, and numerous cousins.
He was preceded in death by his father, Gerald Melvin Robertson; an infant brother, Douglas, and an adult brother, George.
Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Goodman Union Church in Goodman, Wis.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church. Rev. Pat Nolet will officiate.
The Messar-Orlando Funeral Home of Wausaukee, Wis., is in charge of arrangements.
Nicholas Wehner
IRON MOUNTAIN — Nicholas Merle Wehner, 51, passed away Oct. 13, 2001, at the home of his loving caretakers Aunt Virginia and Uncle Harry Selby of Sault Ste. Marie.
Nic, adopted son of Dr. Merle (Laura) Wehner of Manistique, had resided in Manistique and the “wide open road” as a long haul trucker and in Sault Ste. Marie.
Most recently he was employed by FIA as a transporter, bringing many veterans to Iron Mountain Veterans Administration Medical Center for care.
Nic is survived by a sister, Karen Yech of Sawyer, lower Michigan; his son, Jeffrey Wehner, also of “the open road” an inherited gift of ability to operate a “big rig;” his special daughter, Tori Lynn Wehner of Iron Mountain, and a grandson, Trever Wehner of Kingsford. He is also survived by a stepdaughter, Wendy and stepgranddaughter, Emmaleigh Gustafson; aunts, Pauline and Bernita June, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
A memorial service is planned at a later date at the Seventh Day Adventist Church, with Pastor Doug Carlson, in Sault Ste. Marie, where Nicholas served as an elder.
Burial will be in Cooks, Mich., Seven Day Adventist Cemetery where he will be laid to rest with his parents, grandparents and friends of his faith.
Ronald Raiche
NORWAY — Ronald E. Raiche, 78, of Norway died Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2001, at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Iron Mountain.
Ron was born May 26, 1923, in Wilson, son of the late Leo and Florence (LaCrosse) Raiche.
He married Rosemary Marchetti on July 12, 1947.
Ron was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving for two and a half years in the South Pacific, where he was wounded and received the Purple Heart.
He was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans and was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Norway.
Ron worked for the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Iron Mountain for 37 years.
He leaves his wife of 54 years, Rosemary; two sons, Ronald (Cindy) Raiche of Petoskey, lower Michigan, and Kenneth (Rita) Raiche of Norway; three daughters, Linda at home, Roseanne (Tony) Zygiel of Norway and Mary Kay (Kevin) Kangas of Norway; nine grandchildren, Renee, Danielle and Ryan Raiche of Petoskey, Jennifer and Jason Raiche, Miranda and Michael Zygiel, and Andrew and Megan Kangas, all of Norway; two brothers, Ray (Martha) Raiche and Larry (Sue) Raiche; three sisters, Lou (John) Gattra, Shirley (Ted) Stachowicz and Connie (Roger) Secrist, and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Elvis, and an infant sister.
Ron was a devoted husband, caring father and loving grandfather who truly enjoyed his family and will be sadly missed by all.
A memorial Mass will be offered at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Mary Catholic Church in Norway. Fr. Mark McQuesten will celebrate the Mass.
The Miner Funeral Home of Norway is in charge of arrangements.
Regina Chervo
CRYSTAL FALLS — Regina Chervo, 83, of Crystal Falls died Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2001, at the Iron County Medical Care Facility in Crystal Falls.
She was born July 20, 1918, in Rosholt, Wis., daughter of the late Frank and Elizabeth (Laska) Zabrowski. She grew up and attended school in the Milwaukee area.
On Sept. 21, 1939, she married Angelo Chervo in Milwaukee, where the couple continued to make their home.
Regina had worked as a waitress at the Boulevard Inn in Milwaukee.
The couple moved to Crystal Falls in the mid-1970s and Mr. Chervo preceded her in death in May of 1991.
Regina was a member of Guardian Angels Catholic Church in Crystal Falls. She enjoyed sewing and crocheting and spending time with her grandchildren.
She leaves a daughter, Janice (Walter) Ball of Crystal Falls; a sister, Leona (Tony) Tranchina of Baton Rouge, La.; four brothers, Arnold (Marge) Zabarowski of Milwaukee, Jerry (Luella) Zabarowski of Crivitz, Wis., Ernie (Connie) Zabarowski of West Bend, Wis., and Frank (Lillian) Zabarowski of Oak Creek, Wis.; three granddaughters, Sandra (Paul) Klecker of Greenbackwille, Va., Suzanne Hubbard of Crystal Falls and Julie (David) Graff of Crystal Falls; five great-grandchildren, Nicholas Bogan, Alyssa and Freddie Hubbard, Gina and Lee Graff, and a very special friend, Ed Klima of Crystal Falls.
Friends may call from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Langenberg Funeral Home-Crystal Falls Chapel.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the funeral home and at 11 a.m. at Guardian Angels Catholic Church in Crystal Falls. Rev. Fr. Ray Zeugner, pastor, will celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial.
Burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Cemetery in Crystal Falls.
The family suggests that memorials can be made to the Alzheimer’s Research Foundation.
The Langenberg Funeral Home-Crystal Falls Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Harold Inman
WATERLOO, Wis. — Harold R. Inman, 79, of Cedar Falls, Wis., formerly of Waterloo, died Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2001, at Bickford Cottages, Cedar Falls, of natural causes.
He was born July 12, 1922, in Franklin, N.H., son of Bernard J. and Eva Bouche Inman. He married Lucille Dinger on June 28, 1947, in Milwaukee. She died in 1995.
Mr. Inman was employed as a machinist with Michael’s Machine Shop in Racine, Wis., for many years until retiring.
He is survived by a sister, Henrietta Orler of Norway; and his niece and caregiver, Cathy Bunger of Cedar Falls.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Lucille; his mother and stepfather, Eva and Hank Wyszinski.
Memorials may be directed to the Cedar Valley Hospice.
Marie Taff
IRON MOUNTAIN — Marie Anna Taff, 75, of 513 Fairbanks St., Iron Mountain, died Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2001, following a long illness.
She was born May 12, 1926, in Moline, Ill., where during World War II, she was employed assembling Norden Bomb Sights for the U.S. Air Force. She then moved to this area following the war. She was employed at the local J.C. Penney store for many years, retiring as catalog supervisor in 1991. She always enjoyed helping her customers and greeting them with her helpful and cheerful smile. She’s remembered by many in the area as the Penney’s catalog lady.
She was most proud to be a mom, grandma and great-grandma. Her life was spent helping and caring for all of us, especially her first born son, Kenny, who became mentally retarded as a young boy. God chose her to care for Kenny, because he knew how safe his very “special” child would be with her.
In her retirement years, “Grama Re” loved going to all of her grandchildren’s school events and was a constant fixture at Iron Mountain and Kingsford sporting events. She also loved having coffee with the “Penney’s Girls,” flower gardening, going to garage sales and to the library. She was also able to fulfill her lifelong dream just two years ago. This was visiting relatives in Belgium, along with her daughter.
She attended schools in Moline and Rock Island, Ill., and graduated from Kingsford High School in 1969 through the Community Schools Program. She was so proud to have gone back to school and receive her diploma. Of course, as with everything else in her life she excelled at this, graduating with a perfect 4.0.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Phil and Zulma (Jonkheere) D’Haenens of Rock Island, and her son, Kenny, in 1972.
She is survived by a daughter, Carol (Gary) Nelson of Kenosha, Wis., and Iron River; two sons, David (Shelly) Taff of Iron Mountain and Paul (Karie) Taff of Breitung Township; 10 grandchildren, Brent and Shane Nelson of Kenosha, Michelle (Bill) Beth of Kenosha, Jeff, Jaime, and Brian Taff of Iron Mountain, Kelly, Kasey, Tommy and Travis Taff of Breitung Township; four great-grandchildren, Dustin, Alyssa, Cassity and Braden Beth of Kenosha; a brother, Albert D’Haenens of Moline, Ill.; and nieces and nephews, along with friends in Moline and Rock Island; also her special relatives in Belgium, Eddy, Rosita, and Arnel Van Daale, Philip and Marlene Van Daale, and Gustav and Margurite Van Daale; also her lifelong close friends, Betty Miller and Lu Wender of Kingsford.
Our family would like to say some special thanks. First, to the wonderful, caring staff of ManorCare in Kingsford for being so kind and compassionate to our mother and her family. You made her last several weeks as pleasant as possible. Second to Brad Lemke, our associate pastor, for his many visits to help comfort our mom.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday at Tondin-Ross & Freeman Funeral Home of Iron Mountain.
Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Monday at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Kingsford. Pastor Martin Koehler will officiate.
Burial will be in the Quinnesec Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family will have a memorial made in her name with the Bethesda Lutheran Home for Retarded Children in Watertown, Wis.
The Tondin-Ross & Freeman Funeral Home of Iron Mountain is in charge of arrangements.
Donald Lappala
IRON RIVER — Donald Lappala, 87, of 137 Noren Road, Bates Township, died Thursday, Oct. 18, 2001, at Iron County Medical Care Facility.
He was born Dec. 30, 1913, in Superior, Wis., son of the late David and Hilma (Kaari) Lappala. He moved with his family to Pelkie and Detroit prior to moving to the Iron River area at the age of 15. He graduated from Stambaugh High School in 1932 and first worked at a U.S. Forestry Camp and then in the local Civilian Conservation Camps (CCC).
He was employed as a fire tower watchman for the U.S. Forest Service prior to moving to California where he worked at a military base for a short time. He returned to the local area and studied land surveying at Michigan Technological University.
Mr. Lappala was employed for 34 years by the U.S. Forest Service as a land surveyor until his retirement in 1974. He then operated his own private surveying business until selling it to Gary Pisoni in 1981.
In 1974, he researched and wrote a book, “Retracement and Evidence of Public Land Surveys,” which described and showed early surveying in the Ottawa National Forest.
He married the former Leola Paiter in September 1939 and she preceded him in death in 1976. He later married the former Gail Wynn Phillip on Aug. 3, 1981.
Mr. Lappala was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, where he had been a former member of the church council. He was also a life member of the Michigan Society of Registered Land Surveyors.
In addition to his first wife, he was also preceded in death by a daughter, Faye Lappala on Dec. 2, 1993; a brother, John; and a sister, Aune Lindberg.
He is survived by his wife, Gail; a daughter, Gail Lappala of Iron River; two stepdaughters, Lynda Matuk of Iron River and Sharri Tsueda of Louisville, Ky.; a stepson, William Phillip of Madison, Wis.; a sister, Eva Kolemainen of the Iron County Medical Care Facility; five step-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Iron River.
Funeral services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at the church. The Rev. Fred Kinsey, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the Resthaven Cemetery.
The Langenberg Funeral Home - Iron River Chapel is in charge of funeral arrangements.
