You are welcome to add to the names of folks we honor and remember this month:

Was William H. Lassila the Bill Lassila who was the insurance man and used to play the Cordavox (spelling) at the Wilderness Bar at Lac Labelle?

nice picture! any chance that it is from the Bete Gris shore looking out at the Montreal and Keweenaw points?

Two days ago someone has been asking: How is heikinpäivä pronounced?
Heikinpäivä i.e. ha-ee-keen-pa-eeva
ä is pronounced as a in hat; first stress on first syllable (as usually in finish words), second stress on pä. (It is composed of two words: heiki and päivä.)
Try your luck.

In memory of a beautiful person, Reneè Ann Stemler, who lost a courageous battle with cancer. She will be missed by so many.

In memory of my grandmother, Signe Anderson, who would have been 96 on January 27. A truly gentle soul - discipline with velvet gloves.

I would like to add this in memory of my grandmother, Sophia Lester, who left this world on New Year's Day. She and her late husband drove me to my freshman orientation at NMU in 1991. She was an admirable woman who raised five children on her own and always had a positive and amazingly forgiving attitude. I am grateful to have had her in my life.

In memory of my Grandmother, Hilda Tiensivu, who died in January, 1974. Mohawk is missing this wonderful lady.

In loving memory of my wife and our mother,
Margaret (Stetter) Francis.
January 23, 2003

Pete Wi The insurance man is Gordy Lassila. Bill is a younger brother.

In loving memory of my wonderful father, Bill Clay. A true southern gentleman. He would have loved your precious UP and all her splendors. His 72nd birthday would have been yesterday. Missing him tremendously.

My father Earl Raymond Hilton of Marquette, an adopted son of the U.P. for more than 50 years, who died December 27, 2002. An NMU professor for many years, he was honored to be included as "A Good Man in the Woods" in Michael Loukinen's video of that name.

In Memory of my mother Sally Cote who was laided to rest January 2002 in Calumet, Michigan.

Stunning picture!
What wonderful wallpaper for windows.

In loving memory of our wife, mother and grandmother, Jan Forsberg, who left us on December 10, 2002. She leaves behind a family whose lives she touched deeply and who will carry her love in our hearts forever.
-Meema, Eric, Kris, Mary, Sean, Kirsten, Becca, Shannon and Tristen

This is in memory of my mother Patricia and my Brother Darrell. Pasty Central is a great website for ex yoopers. We are from Ironwood. Thanks for all of the great pics and posts.

In memory of my great-uncle and aunt Henry and Sigrid Garnell. They were great carpet makers from Oscar. While they've been gone for many years, a certain scent or scene or picture can remind me of them in a flash, and its like they were just here yesterday. Also, in memory of Zoila Hannula, the lady from South Range who taught me how to make stuffing at the Little Brother's dinners at Grace Lutheran Church. We miss her ready smile and gentle guidance so much.

Renee Stemler. God graced this planet, and many people with her presence. She did a magnificent job of spreading her love while she was with us here. Now HE needs her for a higher purpose. We were lucky he shared her with us. FLY HIGH RENEE.

IN MEMORY OF MY DAD. HE WAS A SAWYER, WHO LOVE THE LAND AND NATURE. MORGIE TOUCH ALOT OF PEOPLE, WHO TO THIS DAY STILL MISS HIM. HE HAS BEEN GONE SINCE 87. BUT IT FELLS LIKE YESTERDAY!

Bertha nee Winquist Koski , Marcia nee Koski Garner, and lastly Gene R. Koski died Binh Long
South Vietnam August 12,1969.The only casualty
of the war in Keweenaw County.

A "Yooper" Big Fish Story.
In Loving Memory of My Brother Jim
In memory of Jim Gagnon, 45 of Atlantic Mine, who recently passed away Friday, January, 10th, 2003,... born Jume , 12th , 1957.
Jim was a very talented man in many ways, as an excellent custom furniture maker and refinisher, wood worker, carpenter and mason among other things, he took great care and percision in his projects and took great pride in his quality worksmanship.
He was also quite a devoted and skilled hunter and fisherman, landing some trophy catches in his days of sportmanship. One thing he really loved was "fishing". In fact, knowing Jim, I think he would have wanted nothing more than to have a "Big Fish Story" told in memory of him. So here it is - (This one is not a "B.S"er, but a true story).
"THE ONE THAT DIDN'T GET AWAY"! --- Among many others, one outstanding, notable catch of Jim's was;--- He and I were ice fishing out on Lanse Bay, (in the winter of 93-94)- when he landed a trophy brown trout, that weighed in at 18 and 1/2 pounds, had a huge girth and measured 36" inches in length, (over half as long as him). Some how he caught that huge fish using a small jig pole with only 6 or 8 pound test line and a tiny #8 size hook, - (it was a rig set up to catch only 1 or 2 pound coho salmon or other fish about 14" to 16" or so in lenght). It took him almost half an hour of carefully playing that fish to total submission before he was finally able to bring it in. By the time he managed to stick his arm down in the freezing water, grab the lunker's head and squeeze it up through the small hole in the ice, -- he discovered the tiny hook was half bent out and hanging only by a strand of it's gill.
Jim was so happy and so proud of that fish, later he sat there on a pail stairing at the huge trout, shaking his head --- then, with a big grin on his face, he slanted his head, looked up and said.... "Gee", I wonder what the "poor" people are doing today"!... As if to say, he felt he was so "richly" blessed with his successful catch. (P.s I think we returned pop cans for gas money to go fishing that day). I'm sure no money could ever buy the experiance he had landing that trophy fish. Later I believe he received some kind of anglers award from the DNR and he had it mounted. It was one of the prize tropy catches of his days.
The guy had quite some luck because, I was fishing in that same hole, with the same pole, same bait and everything and couldn't even get a bite! I was beginning to feel like a "jerk" at one end or the line, waiting for a "jerk" at the other end of the line"! After a while we switched places so he could go in the small one man shanty-tent and warm up a bit. Some how he was catching fish one after another out side--- and just a few minutes in the tent,--- He hooks on the "Big one"!
Well, I guess we switched places just in time and I was actually glad that it was him that hooked it, instead of me, because I never would have been able to play it in to a safe landing myself. Such a huge fish, - on such a fragile line and tiny hook,- it took a true fisherman's skill and patience as his to bring it in, because it put up quite a fight right to the end. It was an awesome experience just to be there and watch......
I remember that day, as highlighting the best of memories, the best of times I ever spent with my brother Jim.
Jim had a lot of pride - obviously much of which was well deserved. Yet sadly, when a man ever too often mingles an abundance of pride, with the vices of this world, eventually it will get the best of him, as it has with Jim. Now we are only left with memories and the unfulfilled wish that somehow we could have done more for him, that would have made a difference. Besides his love for "fishing", Jim also loved his "booze", - Sadly, to the point where he himself became the one who was "hooked"!--- "Many lovely roads ahead", I remember him saying - "Many lovely roads ahead" - he would often repeat when in despair, (after having a few to many).
Even though Jim did not manage to make it on the "road" to recovery, we can only hope and pray that he sincerely accepted the Lord as his savior before he was laid to rest from the struggles of this life and that by the great mercy and grace of God he might someday walk up that "lovely road" of salvation, on through the gates of the Heavenly Kingdom, into a better life everlasting with our Lord and maker.
Now Jim didn't like anybody "preaching" to him and he "wouldn't be caught "dead" in a church", but sadly that's where he ended up. I'm no one to preach, but even though Jim may have "put up quite a fight right to the end" and may have been a tough one to catch, at the end of a fragile "life" line, and hanging by a strand of his gill, ... while in the hospital he had finally "submitted" himself, to go for treatment. Though it obviously was too late for treatment in this life, I think that at the upper end of that fragile line there was the most skilled and most patient fisherman of all time! .... Our Lord, and savior the "fisher-of-men"!... Who was able to play him in, to toatl submission and a safe landing. Just before Jim passed away, he told the minister... "I pray to God"... "I pray to God"!
By that grain of faith and the Lord's enduring mercy, it just may be that Jim will be one of God's greatest prize trophy, "(live)" catches in the Heavenly (aquarium) Kingdom.
May the good Lord bless and keep his soul that he may merely be at rest and in peace from the troubles of this world.

Younger Brother; Aaron

P.s. There will be a shortened version of this memorandom story in the Daily Mining Gazette this weekend edition, Febuary 1st.-2nd.-2003. Along with a tiny "photo" of Jim and his "real" big fish.

Aaron - What a beautiful tribute to your brother Jim. He is now at peace. I will look for the article in the gazette.

Please add to the memorial list Martin Lassila, Bill Lassila's cousin who died on January 2, 2003; and Bill Lassila's Mother-In-Law, Euphemia (Phem) Maatta Pylvainen, who died on January 10, 2003. Some of the readers may remember Bill and John Lassila, identical twin brothers, who grew up in Mohawk. Both played hockey for Michigan Tech in the mid 60s. Bill worked in Management for Ford Motor Company.

In loving memory of Elsie Lahnala Pyykonen who died this week. Her funeral is today, Sat. 2/01, in Livonia.

Aaron...what a gorgeous memorial to your brother.
And don't worry...we will all meet again someday.

"If God brings you to it, God will bring you through it".

I would like to add my wonderful wife of 33 years:

Elizabeth Anne Moray

who died suddenly on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2003.
While not a yooper, she will be making one last trip up to God's country to be near our cottage at 5 mile point. The sunsets will be with her always.

jim haven

Aaron, your tribute to your brother particularly touched my heart because our father years ago also had problems with alcohol. He was an especially talented blacksmith and wasted much of his life battling booze. Years ago, while attending Wayne State University, I wrote a paper on the effects of alcohol. The problem affects not only the individual but extends to his family, neighbors, merchants, and untold members of the community. Your comments about your brother's acceptance of Jesus Christ as his savior also gives us hope he truly did believe. So likewise our Dad died believing in the redemptive work of our Lord. You have my sympathy, prayers, and loving thoughts because of our common situations with family unable to handle alcohol. My sincerest best wishes to you always.

Please keep the astronauts of the Space Shuttle Columbia and their families in your prayers......
Seventeen years ago this past week, our nation lost the crew of the Space Shuttle Challenger.....

I would like to add my Mom,Jean Tomlinson,to the list. She passed away in Jan 99.It seems like yesterday & she is missed by her family.
Bless you and your abilities Aaron.

Prayers go out to the family of Joe Despot who just passed away yesterday. What a wonderful sweet man.

That was a well written tribute to Jim Gagnon by his brother. I knew Jim in our high school years and I remember him as a fun guy with a great personality! "Many lovely roads ahead", words to remember when life gets a bit rough.

Please add to this list the astronauts from the Space Shuttle Columbia. Our hearts are breaking and our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of all seven.

In Memory of Duke W. Sorry to my cuz spittin image of her daddy who died of a heartattack. This must be real hard on u sweetie!

In memory of our seven astronauts that lost thier lives while coming home. May God comfort the families and friends, and all the rest of us Americans.

In memory of my sister Norma (Kiilunen) Holmboe of Gakona, Alaska who passed away Jan. 31, 2003.Norma loved living in Alaska for 57 years. She was a talented singer and musician.She enjoyed hunting, fishing,trapping, berry picking & snowmobiling. She had many exciting experiences while out in the Alaska bush. She will be sadly missed by her husband Tor, sisters and brothers,& relatives and very many friends.

In Memory of my grandmother, Vera Snell, who passed away January 2002...and also in memory of our brave astronauts who lost their lives today, may God rest their souls, and be with the families and the nation that mourn them....

Whoops, my grandma Vera passed in Jan 2001...doesnt seem that long ago, she is missed greatly...also would like to mention my cousin Sheila who also passed Feb 2001, and my great uncle Ted, who also passed Jan 2001...we miss them all terribly....

In memory of my great uncle, Jack Krout, who passed away January 30, 2003. Uncle Jack was a true yooper and loved 'God's Country'. He lived in Gladstone for much of his life. This one's for him.

This picture is now my wallpaper. The left half of the picture looks so dark and eerie, but the other half with the sun is brighter. That is how so many of us felt Saturday hearing the news of the space shuttle and the lost of the brave astronauts that were aboard....Sadness and such a darkness felt around the world, but like the sun we have to keep on shining (going on). I wish I could explain it better than I did.

Proud Yooper I think you said it just fine.
A good title for the picture could be "Mixed Emotions".

Thanks EM, MI - The title "Mixed Emotions" is perfect.

Then "Mixed Emotions" it will be forever entitled.
Donn

By the way, this beautiful picture is now on my desktop, and it can be your wallpaper, too. Thanks for another WOW, Donn.

Yes, thanks Donn. This would merely be a dark dismal picture if not for the sun. You have captured it beautifully. It gives us hope in today's unpredicable world. Like the darkness, we can revel in our misery or shine like the sun. EM has titled in perfectly. Any chance of reprints for sale with that title?

Me again with one more thought - "Mixed Emotions" for the 2004 calendar. Thanks!!!!

Thanks Proud Yooper, Donn & Charlie, I was watching TV the day they launched the Challenger & watched it blow up & again on Saturday When they announced they had lost contact with the Columbia, From Alan Shepard, John Glenn, & Gus Grissom & The Unsinkable Molly Brown, The Space Program has been Mixed Emotions all the way. It's wonderful to be a part of it all. God doesn't make bad things happen, He gives us the strength to get through tham all.

Not be a commercial but go to www.deyampert.com to view my galleries. If you have a specific photograph like "mixed emotions" then email with information and I will meet your needs.
Donn

Nice way to remember to remember your brother. It's a very interesting to read.

God bless the gentle soul of Renee Stemler. A kinder person was never born. I knew her only for a short while but she made such an impact on my life . She taught me to enjoy each day and to be able to smile at simple things. Her memory will live on for eternity.

In Memory of my grandfather Edwin R. Ylitalo, who passed away on January 22.

I would just like to say I miss my son Darin Christopher McKellar and he will always be in our thoughts and hearts... Thankyou for posting his name here. It means a lot to us...

It means a lot to us ndi olu

I'm looking for information regarding my family that once resided in Paavola, MI, with the last name of Pyykonen? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you all who remembered my aunt, Renee Stemler. She was a beautiful person on the inside and out. My prayers are with you all. Thank you.