Obituaries

Honoring Lives and Memories - Obituaries for Families in Iron River, MI

Carol A. Stokoski

Carol A. Stokoski

Feb 6, 2020

Carol A. Stokoski, age 77, of Caspian, MI, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, February 6, 2020 at her home. She was born January 17, 1943 in Stambaugh, MI, the daughter of the late John “Iggy” and Marian (Novak) Archocosky.  She attended the Caspian and Stambaugh Schools graduating from Stambaugh High School with the Class of 1960. Carol married William “Bill”...

Stephen M. Gasperini

Stephen M. Gasperini

Feb 2, 2020

Stephen M. Gasperini, 50, passed away February 2, 2020 at the Wausau Aspirus Hospital. He was an enthusiast of fast cars, motorcycles, snowmobiles, four wheelers, yard work, outdoor adventures and cleaning. Stephen was an entrepreneur and creative recycler of used tires, a skill acquired from his father. Stephen was also a dedicated father. He moved to Iron River in 2007...

Mary R. Roberts

Mary R. Roberts

Feb 1, 2020

Mary R. Roberts, age 99, of Long Lake, WI, passed away on Saturday, February 1, 2020 at the Iron River Care Center. She was on born August 28, 1920 in Iron River, MI, the daughter of the late John and Lena (Belisle) Sensiba. She attended the Iron River Schools, graduating with the Class of 1938. Mary married George Roberts on...

Elaine A. Vanwagner

Elaine A. Vanwagner

Feb 1, 2020

Elaine A. VanWagner, age 81, of Phelps, WI, passed away on Saturday, February 1, 2020 at Aspirus Iron River Hospital. She was born on April 4, 1938 in Beechwood, MI, the daughter of the late Walter and Helga (Sukaniva) Autio.  Elaine attended the Iron River Schools, graduating with the Class of 1956.  She then earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Northern...

Joyce E. Upperstrom

Joyce E. Upperstrom

Jan 31, 2020

Joyce E. Upperstrom, age 84, of Iron River, MI, passed away on Friday, January 31, 2020 at her home with her family by her side.  She was born on July 27, 1935 in Calumet, MI, the daughter of the late John and Ailie (Laakaniemi) Maki. Joyce married Ronald Upperstrom on August 8, 1953 in Iron River, MI.  The couple celebrated...

Jay T. Skog

Jay T. Skog

Jan 29, 2020

Jay T. Skog, age 59, of Wallace, MI, formerly of Iron River, MI, passed away on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 at Dickinson County Healthcare System. He was born on August 17, 1960 in Iron River, MI, the son of the late Clarence and Esther (Johnson) Skog. He was a lifelong resident of the area.  He attended Special Education School in...

Richard L. Frighetto

Richard L. Frighetto

Jan 25, 2020

Richard L. Frighetto, age 76, of Iron River, MI, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, January 25, 2020. He was born on December 8, 1943 in Stambaugh, MI, the son of the late Louis “Bimbo” and Gentile (Donnini) Frighetto. Richard attended the Stambaugh Schools, graduating with the Class of 1961.  He attended Loyola University in Chicago, IL.   He served his country...

Donald G. Christensen

Donald G. Christensen

Jan 24, 2020

Donald G. Christensen age 90, of Iron River, MI, passed away on Friday, January 24, 2020 at the Iron County Medical Care Facility. He was born on June 17, 1929 in Stambaugh, MI, the son of the late Andrew and Charlotte (Borns) Christensen. Donald married the former Lorraine Geegan on May 14, 1949 in Iron River, and the couple were...

Thomas W. Heikkila

Thomas W. Heikkila

Jan 24, 2020

Thomas W. Heikkila, age 67, of Iron River, MI, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, January 24, 2020. He was born on June 20, 1952 in Stambaugh, MI, the son of the late Eli and Thema (Tucker) Heikkila, Sr. He attended the Iron River Schools, graduating from West Iron County High School in 1971.  He served in the U.S. Army and...

Kano R. Milks

Kano R. Milks

Jan 17, 2020

Kano Ray Milks, infant son of Logan Milks and Renee Pettit of Iron River, MI, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, January 17, 2020 at Aspirus Iron River Hospital.  He was born on August 13, 2019 in Ironwood, MI.  Kano is also survived by his maternal grandparents, Michael Stoneburner and Cheryl Pettit; paternal grandmother, Jodi Milks; maternal great grandmother, Lory Stoneburner;...

Gary F. Sarafiny

Gary F. Sarafiny

Jan 17, 2020

Gary F. Sarafiny, age 83, of Caspian, MI passed away on Friday, January 17, 2020 at Aspirus Iron River Hospital.   Gary was a resident of the Iron River Care Center for the past year. He was born on September 17, 1936 in Caspian, MI, the son of the late Frank and Lillian (Sgaggio) Sarafiny.  He attended the Stambaugh Schools, graduating...

Ronald G. Lindstrom

Ronald G. Lindstrom

Jan 17, 2020

Ronald George Lindstrom, age 87, passed away unexpectedly on January 17, 2020. Ronald was born July 6, 1932 in Stambaugh, MI, the son of the late Astrid Thunander. He attended the Stambaugh schools, graduating with the class of 1950. Ron married the former Louise "Susie" Monnot on May 2, 1953 in Fort Leonardwood, MO. They celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary...

Emelie J. Gagnea

Emelie J. Gagnea

Jan 14, 2020

Emelie J. Gagnea, age 80, of Gaastra, MI, passed away on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 at Aspirus Iron River Hospital. She was born on April 18, 1939 in Gaastra, MI, the daughter of the late John “Jack” and Luella (Battye) Applin. She attended the Stambaugh Schools and graduated with the Class of 1957. Emelie married Odean Gagnea on September 27,...

Marion L. Phillips

Marion L. Phillips

Jan 13, 2020

Marion L. Phillips, age 94, of Crystal Falls, MI, passed away from a brief illness on Monday, January 13, 2020 at the Iron County Medical Care Facility.  She was born on December 22, 1925 in Iron Mountain, MI, the daughter of the late Arvid and Saima (Rantala) Phillips. She attended and graduated from the Crystal Falls Schools. Marion loved the...

Jonathan Parker

Jonathan Parker

Jan 11, 2020

Jonathan Parker, age 38, of Iron River, MI, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, January 11, 2020. He was born on December 21, 1981 in Kenosha, WI, the son of Edward O’Brien and Joy (Parker) McAdams. He attended the West Iron County Schools and graduated.    Jonathan married Paige Nichols on October 3, 2014 in Gogebic County, MI.  He was a gardening...

Katherine L. Gossel

Katherine L. Gossel

Jan 11, 2020

Katherine “Kathy” L. (Mathews) Gossel, age 58, of Caspian, MI, passed away on Saturday, January 11, 2020 at the Iron County Medical Care Facility. She was born on January 22, 1961 in Stambaugh, MI, the daughter of Irma (Bonel) Mathews and the late Harry Mathews. She attended the West Iron County Schools, graduating with the Class of 1979.  She then...

Loren R. Olson

Loren R. Olson

Jan 11, 2020

Loren R. Olson, age 70, of Iron River, MI, passed away on Saturday, January 11, 2020 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. He was born on August 3, 1949 in Stambaugh, MI, the son of the late Clarence and Doris (Lee) Olson. He attended the Stambaugh Schools and graduated with the Class of 1968.  He served in the U.S. Navy from 1968...

Virginia A. Heikkila

Virginia A. Heikkila

Jan 10, 2020

Virginia “Ginny” A. Heikkila, age 69, of Iron River, MI, passed away on Friday, January 10, 2020 Aspirus Wausau Hospital. She was born on December 5, 1950 in Phelps, WI, the daughter of the late Herbert and Ivory (Fraley) Kernohan.  She attended the Phelps Schools and graduated with the Class of 1969. Virginia married Thomas Heikkila on April 10, 2000...

Carol M. Savage

Carol M. Savage

Jan 9, 2020

Carol M. Savage, age 73, of Caspian, MI, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, January 9, 2020 at Aspirus Iron River Hospital. Carol is survived by her husband, Donald: daughters, Mary Savage of Las Vegas, NV and Jennifer Savage of Grand Rapids, MI; five grandchildren; nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.   Private family services will be held. Interment will be in...

Alvin N. Salo

Alvin N. Salo

Jan 7, 2020

Alvin N. Salo, age 82, of Iron River, MI, passed away on Tuesday, January 7, 2020 at Aspirus Iron River Hospital surrounded by his family.  He was born on February 18, 1937 in Beechwood, MI, the son of the late John “Jack” and Esmeralda “Izzy” (Ask) Salo.  He served in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged.  Alvin married Marie...