OBITUARIES
Larry George Buerger
Jun 11, 2026
Larry George Buerger, 86, of Ironwood Township, passed away on June 11, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.
Larry was born on October 4th, 1939, in Ironwood to George and Ann (Arasim) Buerger. He graduated from Luther L. Wright High School with the class of 1957. Following graduation, Larry enlisted with the United States Navy and served in Japan and Hawaii...
Irene Josephine Fingeroos
May 31, 2026
Irene Josephine Fingeroos, 99, of Bessemer, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 31, 2026, at Villa Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Hurley.
Irene was born June 21, 1926, in Bessemer, Michigan, to Callisto and Theresa (Grasso) Cabianca. She married Adolph “Bud” Fingeroos on September 7, 1946. Irene was an avid knitter, and her kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids were the recipients of...
Betty Jane Rainaldo
May 28, 2026
Betty Jane (Antonino) Rainaldo, born on December 31, 1934, to the late Frank and Signe (Peterson) Antonino, passed away on May 28, 2026, at the age of 91, at Rennes Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility in Weston, WI, with family by her side.
Betty is an Ironwood Luther L. Wright graduate of 1952 and worked as a phone operator for 3 years...
Amelia "Penny" Jacisin
May 27, 2026
Amelia “Penny” Jacisin, 84, of Ironwood, passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday, May 27, 2026.
Penny was born on February 20, 1942, in Ironwood to John M. and Amelia “Milly” D. (Kubacki) Magdziak. She was a 1960 graduate of Luther L. Wright High School in Ironwood. On November 9, 1961, she was united in marriage to John Joseph Jacisin,...
David Allen Christoferson
May 25, 2026
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of David Allen Christoferson on May 25, 2026. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, David will be remembered for his quick wit, generosity, strong work ethic, and the countless friendships he built throughout his life.
A proud graduate of Sevastopol High School in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. During his school years,...
Mary Beth Mathias
May 24, 2026
Mary Beth Mathias, 70, of Montreal, passed away on Sunday, May 24, 2026. Her last days and moments were surrounded by her family and loved ones in the care of Villa Maria Nursing Home in Hurley, WI.
Mary Beth (MB) was born on August 19, 1955, in Ironwood to Leo and Lois (Finco) Gayan. She was a 1973 graduate of L.L....
Sarina Rae Kent
May 7, 2026
Sarina Rae Kent, 67, of Hurley, spread her wings and danced her way into the heavens on Thursday, May 7, 2026, in Ironwood, following a recent series of health battles.
Born on March 29, 1959, to Edward Valentine and Myrna Marie (Rappley) Kaul. She graduated from Hastings High School in Nebraska and later earned her associate degree before beginning her career...
Eleanor Ruth Burla
Apr 25, 2026
Eleanor Ruth (Wise) Burla, age 98, of Bessemer, died Saturday. April 25, 2026. She was born on January 30, 1928, in Ukiah, California, the daughter of the late Serle and Gertrude Wise. She grew up in Elmore, Minnesota, graduating from Elmore High School in 1946.
Eleanor attended the College of St. Teresa in Winona, Minnesota, graduating in 1950 with a Bachelor...
Angela Kay Kostopolus
Apr 22, 2026
Angela Kay Kostopolus, 67, of Ironwood, passed away on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at the Aspirus Ironwood Hospital.
Angela was born the only daughter of Omar and Betty (Pospeck) Rigoni on October 26, 1958, in Ironwood. Angela grew up with four brothers, so she quickly learned her way around the kitchen, often helping her mother make meals for the family. She...
Lois Jean Brandis
Apr 22, 2026
Lois Jean Brandis, 92, of Saxon, Wisconsin, passed away on April 22, 2026, at St Luke's Hospital in Duluth, Minnesota. She was born June 19, 1933, in Gurney, Wisconsin, and was the first daughter of George and Edith Youngs (Cook).
Lois preferred to be called Jean. She attended Gurney Grade School and Saxon High School, graduating in 1951. After graduation, Jean...
James Michael Rosine
Apr 16, 2026
James Rosine, 70, of Ironwood, Michigan, and formerly of West Bend, Wisconsin, passed away on April 16, 2026.
James was born on August 3, 1955, in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, to Gerald and Ruth (Chesky) Rosine. Known to many as Jim, he lived a life defined by resilience, hard work, and a willingness to lend a hand wherever it was needed. A...
Andrew George Merrill
Apr 14, 2026
Andrew George Merrill, 77, of White Pine, Michigan, passed away on April 14, 2026, at his home. Andy was born on November 30, 1948, in Dagget, Michigan, to Lucille and Lafayette Merrill on their family’s farm.
He was the oldest of seven children. In 1954, his family moved to White Pine, Michigan. After graduation, Andy served 6 years in the Navy...
Joan Carroll Cyr
Apr 11, 2026
Joan Carroll Cyr, 93, of Ironwood, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at the Villa Maria Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Hurley.
Joan was born on June 29, 1932, in St. Paul, Minnesota, to John and Ethel (Leonard) LaClair. She attended St Columba Catholic School and graduated from Wilson High School as an Honor Student. She helped her mother...
Gail Judith Kniska
Apr 8, 2026
Gail Judith Kniska (nee Polso), 86, of Hurley, passed away on April 8, 2026, at Aspirus Ironwood Hospital. Born on July 28, 1939, in Ironwood, MI., Gail was the beloved daughter of Anselm and Aili (Hill) Polso. She attended JE Murphy School in Hurley, graduating in 1957, and was on the National Honor Society.
Gail married William Kniska on August 23,...
Donna Jean Holmes (Ringwall)
Mar 20, 2026
Donna Jean Holmes, 82, of Bessemer, passed away on Friday, March 20, 2026.
Donna was born on October 10, 1943, in Winfied, Kansas, to Birger E. and Olga (Heikkila) Ringwall, shortly before her family relocated to Ironwood. She graduated as valedictorian of the Luther L. Wright High School Class of 1961 and went on to earn her bachelor's degree in mathematics...
Irene Sarah Halverson (Lopez)
Mar 19, 2026
Irene Sarah Halverson, 95, of Ironwood, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at the Villa Maria Health & Rehabilitation Center in Hurley.
Irene was born the daughter of Louis and Mary (Diulio) Lopez on June 4, 1930. Irene was a US Air Force veteran who served as a nurse. She was united in marriage to...
Therese Germain Organist
Mar 9, 2026
Therese Germain Organist (Nee Niemsyk), 90, passed away March 9, 2026, at Westgate Nursing Home in Ironwood, Michigan, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's.
Therese was born in Ironwood to Frank and Germain Niemsyk in 1935. While attending high school in Ironwood, she met and fell in love with Gene Organist of Mercer and married right after...
Dale Margaret Ballone (Johnson)
Feb 27, 2026
Dale Margaret Ballone, 86, of Wakefield, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 27, 2026, at Canal View Nursing Home in Hancock.
Dale was born on July 22, 1939, in Wakefield, the daughter of Oscar and Eleanor (Lepsito) Johnson. She graduated from Wakefield High School in 1957 and went on to attend cosmetology school in Detroit before returning...
Darrell Paul Robinson
Feb 23, 2026
Darrell Paul Robinson, 71, of Hurley, passed away on Monday, February 23, 2026, at St. Luke's Hospital in Duluth.
"Paul" was born on March 29, 1954, in Hurley to Sylvester R. and Janet M. (Sunie) Robinson. He was a graduate of Hurley High School. He worked as a manager for The Alley stores in Chicago, and later...
Gretchen Leslie Johnson
Feb 12, 2026
Gretchen Leslie Johnson, age 79, passed away peacefully at her home in Mercer, Wisconsin, on February 12, 2026, after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Gretchen was born on May 23, 1946, to Leslie and Miriam Wanink of Wakefield, Michigan, and was the oldest of seven children. With her quick wit and wonderful sense of humor, she often jokingly referred to herself...
