All Obituaries

Sylvester “Butch” LaBay, Jr. of Ford River Township, Michigan, age 75, passed away after a short illness, on Monday, April 15, 2024, at St. Vincent Hospital, Green Bay, WI, surrounded by his loving wife and children. He was born the fourth of nine children to Sylvester and Lillian (Wellman) LaBay, Sr. of Escanaba. Butch loved to hunt, fish, read Western novels, and watch sports. Spending time with his grandchildren gave him great joy. On May 25, 1991, he married Elizabeth...

Brian E. Sorby of Escanaba, Michigan, age 75, passed away on Sunday, April 15, 2024, at St. Vincent Hospital, Green Bay, WI. Brian was born to Ernest and Dorothy (Hamacher) Sorby on November 5, 1948, in Iron River, Michigan. In 1967, he graduated with the last class of Iron River High School. Following high school, Brian proudly served his flag and country in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. He primarily served in Germany and used his leave time to travel...

Richard Iver Seelund, age 92, of Gladstone passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at Murray’s Country View nursing home in Gladstone. He was born December 1, 1931 in Escanaba, MI and was the son of John and Ellen (Carlson) Seelund. He grew up in Foster City, graduated from Foster City High School and then was drafted into the Korean War serving in the U.S. Army. During his service, Richard was a member of the Army Artillery Battalion. After the war Richard moved to...

Rose Alma Dahlgren, age 89, of Gladstone passed away Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at OSF St. Francis Hospital in Escanaba. She was born August 29, 1934 in Escanaba, MI and was the daughter of Andrew and Lydia (Gauthier) Joncas. Rose was employed at St. Francis Hospital in Escanaba as a dietician in the kitchen. She married Fern H. Dahlgren on July 14, 1990 in Escanaba, MI and he preceded her in death. Rose was a member of the Gladstone American Legion Auxiliary Post #71 and enjoyed crafts and...

Kent Brannstrom, age 60, of Rapid River passed away Tuesday, April 9, 2024 at Auburn Community Hospital in Auburn, New York. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time and will be announced by the Anderson Funeral Homes of Escanaba and Gladstone.

Frank D. Zellinger of Escanaba, Michigan, age 80, passed away on Monday, April 8, 2024, at Christian Park Village, Escanaba, MI. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the Anderson Funeral Homes of Escanaba and Gladstone.

Sarah Ann Sarnowski of Bark River, Michigan, age 32, passed away on Sunday, April 7, 2024. Sarah was born to Patti Hebert and Mike Ledford on May 9, 1991, in Escanaba, MI. She was baptized and attended St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Bark River. She was a 2009 graduate of Bark River High School. Sarah found her calling caring for others during her years of work as a CNA, doing a job not everyone could do. She cared deeply for her patients and enjoyed that work. She was currently...

Gerald “Jerry” Craig Wedell, beloved son, brother, uncle and friend died on April 6, 2024 at Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Canton, South Dakota. He was 77. Jerry was born November 26, 1946 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the first child and only son of Kenneth and Irene (nee Kallio) Wedell. Jerry graduated in 1964 from Simley High School in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. He attended the University of Minnesota. In 1967, Jerry enlisted in the Marine Corps. Following boot camp at San...

David Carl Salminen, age 74, of Escanaba passed away Saturday, April 6, 2024, at St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay, WI. He was born January 31, 1950 in Owosso, MI and was the son of Walo and Dagmar (Swanberg) Salminen. Dave graduated from Walled Lake High School in 1968. While in high school, Dave and his friends would camp in the Chatham, MI area and attended the U.P. State Fair. At the fair is where Dave met the love of his life, Gail! Dave, and the former Gail Irving, married on May 15,...

Donna M. Jensen, age 89 of Escanaba, passed away peacefully Wednesday, April 3, 2024 at Christian Park Center, Escanaba, MI.  She was born May 25, 1934 in Marinette, WI to Myron L. and Mary Elvira (Grandaw) Gamlin. Donna attended St. Joseph grade school and Our Lady of Lourdes high school.  At age 17, she moved to Racine to obtain work where her two sisters lived. She spent a short time as a nanny until she could procure a permanent job. She loved to tell stories about ice...