Obituaries

Juanita Passinault, 96, of Toledo, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. She was born in Au Train, Mich.

Rapid River, MI - Della Mae Kee, affectionately called “MiMi”, transitioned to the non-physical realm on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, in Marquette, Mich. Her family gathered around her during her last hours, sharing stories about this amazing woman and her impact upon her family, friends and nature.

Born October 19, 1936, Munising, Mich. First and foremost: wife of Larry (deceased); mother of Joe (deceased), Rebecca, John and Maggie; mother-in-law to Carrie and Sherry; grandmother to Isaac, Felix, Emily, Maddie, Mat, Olivia, Hayley, Grace and Jackson; great-grandmother to Owen, Bennett, Mealea, Blake, Theo and Edgar; daughter of Joseph and Eloise; sister to Joan and Ann; sister-in-law, aunt, cousin, and friend.

Wetmore - Karen Robinson, 67, of Wetmore died Monday, April 10, 2023, at UP Health Systems in Marquette following a month long illness. She was born on April 20, 1955, in Charlotte, Mich. to the late Rev. Karl and Jane (Smith) Carpenter.

Nugent Lake - William “Bill” G. Rautanen, Sr., 79, of Nugent Lake died following a lengthy illness on Monday, April 3, 2023, at UPHS Marquette. He was born on July 15, 1943, in Munising, Mich. to Arne and Eva (Root) Rautanen. Bill grew up in Melstrand and Munising and was a member of the Wm. G. Mather High School Class of 1961. Bill served in the U.S. Army from January 10, 1962, until June 10, 1964. He served most of his time in Alaska and Korea before returning home. Bill married Phyllis Snyder and together had five children. He spent his working career at Kimberly Clark and retired as a millwright. Bill married Judy (McCollum) Gilbert on October 24, 1992. Together they enjoyed hunting and snowmobiling. Bill was a member of the American Legion and spent many years on the Honor Guard. He enjoyed fishing, picking blueberries, and hunting for agates. Bill is survived by his wife of 30 years Judy Rautanen; children William “Will” (Lillian) Rautanen, Jr., Marla Rautanen, Travis Rautanen, Amber (Brian) Stankovich, Ginger (Eric Segerdahl) Rautanen, Heather Curry, Dawn Gilbert, and Terra Denner; 17 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren with four on the way; brothers - Arne (Shirley) Rautanen, David (Sandy) Rautanen, Mike (Paula) Rautanen; sisters - Marilyn (Ed) Morrison and Arlene (Doug) Sertich; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Arne and Eva, brother Robert, grandchildren Janeé, Memphis, and Angelina; and great-grandchild Addilynn. Services will be held on Saturday, April 8, 2023, at Bowerman Funeral Home and the American Legion Post #131 in Munising. Visiting time with family and friends will be at the funeral home from 12 until 2 p.m. Pastor Jason LaFlamme will conduct Bill’s memorial service at 2 p.m Military honors will be rendered by the American Legion and Vietnam Veterans Honor Guard at 3 p.m. A fellowship gathering will follow at the Legion. Bill’s obituary and tribute wall may be found at bowermanfuneralhome.