June 2024

Rodger Clarence Swanson, most recently of Munising, died on Friday, May 24, 2024, following a fall. Rodger was a farm boy from North Dakota who spent his years around the Great Lakes and the North Eastern harbors gleaning everything that he could about traditional wooden boats. If you know him, you know that he can speak a lot on the subject. Rodger was born in Grand Forks, ND, on January 4, 1944, to Clarence Ordean and Grace Naomi (Spearman) Swanson. He was their firstborn and grew up strong and working with his hands in the rural farmland along US 2, in Arvilla, ND. He began his education in a one-room schoolhouse. He talked about taking a horse drawn sleigh down to the highway to catch the bus to school in the winter. When it came time for him to go to high school, he started boarding school in Minnesota. Rodger graduated from the University of North Dakota in 1966 with his Bachelor’s degree, followed shortly by a Master’s degree. He studied sociology and anthropology. He also attended Cooley Law School in Lansing, MI. Most of Rodger’s vocational life was spent helping people navigate life’s upsets. He provided counseling and worked to connect people with resources for independent and healthy living following injury and disability, employment disruptions, incarceration, and addiction and other brain health issues.

Nan Marie Taube, age 93, of Munising, died Sunday, May 5, 2024 at Medilodge of Munising. Nan was born November 16, 1930 in Newberry, Michigan to the late Sten Sigge Taube and Nan Caroline (Larson) Taube. Growing up in Newberry, Nan enjoyed figure skating and tap dancing. She loved telling stories about Swede Town and her years there. She moved to Munising her senior year and graduated from Wm. G. Mather High School. Nan married Harry Boucher and raised their three daughters. She married S. Richard Bornslaeger on September 12, 1987. Nan and her sisters loved to travel. They went on multiple trips to Sweden, around Scandinavian countries, and across Europe. Upon retirement, Nan and Dick spent part of the winters in Florida at Deerfield Beach and the Keys. Nan loved the outdoors where she enjoyed cross country skiing, working in her gardens, and bird watching. She was always feeding the birds, deer, and any animal that wandered into their yard. Her one passion (besides her family) was reading. Nan always had a book in her hand. When you stopped by, you were always greeted with a smile, a cup of coffee, and amazingly delicious baked goods. Nan cherished her time with family and friends, especially her coffee klatch with Ruth, Evelyn, Mary, Joyce, and Josie. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were always “Sweet Girl” or “Sweet Boy.” When you left you felt warm and fuzzy knowing you were very loved. Nan was a warm, loving, kind, and caring person. She is greatly missed by her family and friends.

Leslie Edward Niemi was born on February 25, 1931, in Munising, Michigan to Edward and Pearl Niemi. He passed away on January 22, 2024, in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Les always felt fortunate to have grown up in the Chatham-Eben area. He thought it was the most wonderful place to be. He graduated from Eben High School in 1949 where he played basketball and ran the high hurdles in track. We have all heard his accounts of these events. In September of 1949, he enrolled at Suomi College (more recently known as Finlandia University) and continued his education at the Suomi Seminary. Les played basketball while at Suomi College and set several scoring records. He also studied at Northern Michigan University and at Northwestern in Evanston, Illinois.