All Obituaries

Laila J. Maze, 96, of Republic, passed away on Sunday, January 22, 2023.  She was surrounded by her loving daughters and under the care of Lake Superior Life Care & Hospice and the staff of Teal Lake Assisted Living.   She was born in Humboldt, MI, a daughter of the late Victor and Maria (Plukka) Mustamaa and had resided in the area for most of her life.   Laila was a “Rosie the Riveter” working as a machine operator for Briggs Manufacturing in Detroit...

Pauline A. Cook, 94, of Champion, passed away in her sleep on Wednesday morning, January 4, 2023 at Marquette County Medical Care Facility in Ishpeming after a long battle with Dementia.   Pauline was born on May 15, 1928 in Flint, MI to the late Andrew and Bertha (Brooks) Rising. At a young age she moved to Prudenville, MI where she was a 1946 graduate of Houghton Lake High School. Here she met her husband, Robert E. Cook and they were married February 7, 1948.   Pauline...

Edward James Lundin, 87, long-time Ishpeming resident, passed away peacefully due to kidney failure on Tuesday, December 20, 2022 at the Marquette County Medical Care Facility with his loving wife at his side and under the care of UP Home Health and Hospice.   Ed was born on June 13, 1935 in Big Bay, MI where his father was an officer for Civilian Conservation Corps at Camp Big Bay.  He was a son of Clarence M. and Helen (Jeffery) Lundin.   Ed served his country in the US...

Wayne H. “Dutch” Weidlich, 79, of Negaunee Township, passed away on December 18, 2022 in Park Ridge, IL with family by his side. Wayne was born on June 12, 1943 in Springfield, MA to Henry and Mildred (Winquist) Weidlich. He soon acquired his lifelong nickname “Dutch” as he resembled the boy on the Dutch Boy Paint logo. Dutch’s deep connection to the natural world began during his childhood where he spent much of his time working alongside his father, Henry,...

Paul Curtis “Duck” Derocha, 65, of Ishpeming, passed away on Monday, November 14, 2022 at Marquette County Medical Care Facility in Ishpeming. Duck was born on May 11, 1957 in Ishpeming, a son of the late William and Clementine (Revedo) Derocha and was a lifelong U.P. resident.  He was a 1975 graduate of Ishpeming High School and then attended Michigan Tech University.  Duck worked in the family restaurant business for many years.  He later moved to Pelkie where...

Terry Allan Butler 57 of Champion died unexpectedly November 4, 2022. He was born June 28th 1965 a son of Edward “Jack” Butler and Bonnie Elleby. Terry was a 1983 graduate from Marquette Senior High School Terry valued his family and loved spending time with them especially his nephew Easton and nieces Vanessa and Alexis. He also was a talented artist, hand carving small intricate animals out of wood, often making walking sticks to give to friends and family. He loved to draw and...

Diana Marie (LaCosse) Bonneau, 64, passed away peacefully Thursday afternoon, September 22, 2022 with her family by her side at Mission Point Nursing & Physical Rehabilitation Center of Ishpeming. Diana loved the outdoors and worked for Michigan Forestry. She was also employed by the Kewadin Casino and multiple hotels in Munising and Christmas, Michigan. Diana was born at Bell Hospital in Ishpeming on December 18, 1957, a daughter of Kenneth and Alice (Galske) LaCosse and was a 1977 Eben...

Alan D. Frieberg, 69, of Republic, passed away Sunday afternoon, September 11, 2022 at Trillium Hospice House following a brief illness. He was born April 28, 1953, in Marquette, a son of the late Norman and Joan (McNerney) Frieberg. The obituary Alan wrote for himself simply stated, “ironworker, oil field driller, plumber, nurse, welder and lover of life”. Alan is survived by his sisters, Kerry (Jim) Bonovich of Ishpeming and Gwyn Fontaine of Gwinn; a “daughter”, Ali...

Sheila I. Gustafson, 56, of Ishpeming, passed away on Saturday, May 21, 2022 at her home. Sheila was born on February 2, 1966 in Marquette to the late Martin and Marilyn (Corbine) French. She was a graduate of Marquette Senior High School. Sheila was employed throughout the years with the Mining Journal, Kountry Korners and the Landmark. She enjoyed journaling, the outdoors and nature and spending time with her grandchildren. Sheila also loved music and enjoyed participating in karaoke...

Helen “Dolly” P. Ensign, 95, of L’Anse, died peacefully Tuesday afternoon, May 10, 2022 at Bayside Village Nursing Home in L’Anse where she had been a resident for several years.    Helen was born on July 20, 1926 in Pequaming, Michigan to the late Edward P. Rock Sr. And Sarah J.(LaParche) Rock.   She married William C. Ensign in 1945 in Saginaw, MI. Her husband, William, preceded her in death on Dec. 6, 1996.   They had three children, two...