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Mr. Ralph A. Woodward
Ralph A. Woodward, age 85 of Vanderbilt died on Monday, July 10, 2006. Ralph was born July 11, 1920 in Gaylord. He attended school in Boyne Falls near the Chandler Hill/Bows Lake area. He was a World War II Army veteran as well as a charter member of the World War II Memorial. Ralph was a farmer in addition to working as a mechanic for the Department of Natural Resources, where he retired. He loved music and together with his brothers in law formed the band “Rhythm Ranger”. They played locally, often at the Green Lantern in Alba. He was active at the Elkland Senior Center and was a MESA representative for many years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and traveling. On February 14, 1946 he married
the former Patricia Rich. She preceded him in death in 1998. He is survived by two sons, Rocky of De Tour Village and Rodney of Channing; 8 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; special friend, Kathleen Carrick of Vanderbilt, brother-in-law, Chuck (Mary) Rich of Gaylord; and sister-in-law, Violet Rich of Gaylord. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, July 12, 2006 at 1 PM from the Nelson Funeral Home, Pastor Joe Vondoloski, officiating. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 10 AM until the time of services. Burial will follow at Evergreen Hill cemetery in Vanderbilt. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Michigan, through the Nelson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1548, Gaylord MI 49735.
Mrs. Verna (Webb) Beaver
Verna (Webb) Beaver, age 74, passed away Friday, September 29, 2006 in National City, California. She was born October 31, 1931 to Sydna and Doris (Glazier) Webb. She graduated from Vanderbilt High School and worked most of her life as a secretary. Verna married
William Beaver on August 20, 1955. They lived in Bay City many years and later moved to California, where they lived their remaining years. Survivors include 2 sisters, Louisa Wilson of Obetz, Ohio, and Ardis (Ron) Bush of Vanderbilt; 4 brothers, Alfred (Merry) Webb and Butch (Barb) Webb, both of Wolverine, Rodney (Linda) Webb of Gaylord, and Dean (Debbie) Webb of South Bend, Indiana; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband Bill, her parents Sydna and Doris Webb, 3 brothers, Lee, Larry and Toby, and 3 sisters, June, Lerah, and Susie. FUNERAL SERVICES will be held on Friday, October 6, 2006 at 2 PM from the Nelson Funeral Home, Pastor Joe Vondoloski, officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday from 11 AM until the time of services. Burial will follow at Evergreen Hill cemetery in Vanderbilt. Memorial contributions may be made to the family, for a charity to be determined at a later time, through the Nelson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1548, Gaylord MI 49734.
Mr. Raymond Frank Burzynski
Raymond Frank Burzynski, 75, of Gaylord, was called to his eternal reward on Saturday, November 4, 2006. He was born on January 23, 1931 in Gaylord to Frank and Victoria Burzynski at their farm. He was their fifth child. Ray had three brothers and five sisters. Ray is survived by his wife, Marie Pat; his three children, Michael Raymond (Noreen), Thomas Patrick (Barbara) and Barbara Marie (Leonard) Klosowski; ten grandchildren, Alan, Theresa, Michelle, Raymond, Anne, Jackie, Aaron, Michael, Carolyn, and Natalie. He is also survived by his brother, Floyd and sisters, Angeline Kwapis, Regina (Ambrose) Kwapis, Dolores Zaremba, Sister Barbara Mary, OSF, Joan (Glenn) Larsen, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, John and Anthony. Ray grew up in Gaylord, working with his father and brothers, John, Floyd, and Anthony, on the family farm. Ray attended Big Lake School and graduated from Gaylord St. Mary High School in 1949. He was a member of St. Mary’s varsity basketball team. That was the beginning of Ray’s lifetime enjoyment and support of basketball and many other athletic sports, including cheerleading, at St. Mary’s School. Ray was also very supportive of Little League sports with his own children, and later with his grandchildren as they participated in their various sports activities. After high school, Ray moved to Detroit where he worked at several different manufacturing plants while he also attended classes at the University of Detroit and Wayne State University. On October 23, 1954, Ray and Marie married
in Detroit at St. Christopher’s Church. They lived, worked, and raised their family in the greater Detroit area until 1971 when the family moved to Gaylord. Ray was employed as a maintenance department supervisor at the Gaylord Community Schools for some time. Later he worked in supervision positions at Hoskins Manufacturing in Mio until retiring in 1991. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved being outdoors; hunting for mushrooms in the woods in spring and fall was a “must” every year for Ray. He also enjoyed snowmobiling, skiing, and golfing. Ray welcomed a fun game of cards or horseshoes at family gatherings. He loved doing work with his tractor around his home and cutting wood every year for the furnace. Ray also spent every day possible with his sons on their farm. He found great satisfaction doing chores and took great pride in helping with crops, field work, and animal care. Ray loved the land and was a true caretaker of the environment, land, and water. Ray was a very dedicated and loving father and grandfather; he spent as much time as possible with his children and grandchildren, teaching them through example the value of hard work and trust in God. Ray sacrificed much willingly to give his children a good sound Catholic school education and religious foundation for life. He was a dependable person, full of great energy and sense of responsibility who provided for and protected his family constantly. He was a peace loving man who would stand up for fairness. Ray was a thoughtful, caring man who earned the respect of others because of his good character. Ray took great care and delight in maintaining his home, the yard, barns, fields and animals. He was known to be a “jack-of-all-trades” and “Mr. fix-it.” He responded quickly to a neighbor, friend, family member or even a stranger in need of help. He especially loved working with wood and building or repairing just about anything. Ray and his family are members of St. Mary Cathedral Church where he served as an usher for many years. He was also a very active 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus. Ray took great pride in helping to keep the KC hall and grounds in “tip-top” shape. He developed the concept of monthly work crews to complete needed projects at the hall. Ray enjoyed working bingo on Thursday nights. He was a living leader by example, giving of his time, talent and treasures daily to the Lord, his church, St. Mary School, to many charities, his family, and neighbors. Ray was a strong, religious, prayerful man who was thankful for his gift of the Catholic faith and grateful for God’s grace in having this powerful gift of faith. He attended daily Mass whenever possible and prayed the rosary often. He kept a rosary in every car, truck, or jacket pocket. Ray was proud to be a Polish-American and enjoyed celebrating Polish traditions at holidays. He also enjoyed polka parties and having a WOW toast with polka friends and family members. He always enjoyed having a beer with friends at a polka gathering or to celebrate a “job well done.” Ray made many close friends. He was honest and trustworthy and could be counted on to keep his promises. He loved writing Christmas notes and birthday notes to his grandchildren and giving them “spending money” from Grandpa. He loved having the grandkids around him. Ray will be dearly and sincerely missed by all of those who were fortunate enough to have known and loved him. Ray was simply a good, friendly, reliable, hard-working person who welcomed God into his daily life and shared this spirit with anyone who encountered him as he struggled to meet every day’s challenges with great courage and trust in the promise of our Lord of Divine Mercy. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 8, 2006 from St. Mary Cathedral, Rev. John McCracken officiating. Visitation at the Nelson Funeral Home will be held on Tuesday, November 7, 2006, from 3-8 p.m. and beginning at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday at church. A Knights of Columbus Rosary will be offered on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. Burial will take place at Resurrection cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Orchard Lake St. Mary Seminary or St. Mary Schools, through the Nelson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1548, Gaylord, MI 49734.
Mrs. Judith E. Chard
Judith E. Chard, age 75 of Gaylord died Monday, October 2, 2006 at Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey. Mrs. Chard was born in Eagle River, MI on August 16, 1931 and was raised in “copper country”. She graduated from Suomi College and later received her Bachelors degree from Northern Michigan University. In 1968 she moved to Ishpeming. In December of 1970 she married
Lambert Chard. The couple moved to Gaylord in 1985. Mrs. Chard retired as a substitute teacher in the Gaylord area. She was a very intelligent woman, whose family thought she should have been a contestant on Jeopardy. She enjoyed painting and creating her own greeting cards. She will be fondly remembered for her big smile, her laugh and the sparkle in her eye. She is survived by her husband Lambert; 4 children, William (Susan) Rajaniemi of Mohawk, Allen Jensen of Pickens, South Carolina, Donn Rajaniemi of Saginaw, and Steven Rajaniemi of Algonac; 3 stepchildren, Heidi (Keith) Norden of Hollandale, WI, Amy (Steven) Narhi of Ishpeming, and David (Amy) Chard of Atlantic Mine; 12 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; 2 brothers, Raymond Hill of Calumet and James (Karon) Hill of Mt. Vernon, WA; and several brothers and sisters-in-law. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Michigan or to the hospice of your choice, through the nelson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1548, Gaylord MI 49734.
Mrs. Rita M. Desautels
Rita M. Desautels, 85, of Gaylord, died Sunday, September 3, 2006 at home. She was born on March 21, 1921 in Detroit to Joseph and Veronica (Fortier) Mooney. In 1946, Rita married
Donald K. Desautels, and in 1989, they moved from Birmingham to Gaylord. She had been an active volunteer with the Boy Scouts, and was very proud that her three sons and three grandsons were Eagle Scouts. She had also enjoyed flower gardening. Rita is survived by her husband, Donald K. of Gaylord; three sons, Donald S. (Mary) of Gaylord, Brian M. (Jane) of Kenmore, WA and James P. (Katy) of Bloomfield Hills; six grandchildren, Chris (Julie) Desautels, Aimee (Roger) Mali, Niki Desautels, Adam Desautels, Michael Desautels and Ally Desautels; two great-grandchildren, Cameron and Isabella Desautels; a sister, Betty Mooney, and a brother, Joseph Mooney. She was preceded in death by brothers James and William Mooney. Memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army of Gaylord, through the Nelson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1548, Gaylord, MI 49734.
Mrs. Antoinette Duhoski
Antoinette Duhoski, age 90 a lifetime resident of Gaylord died Saturday, September 30, 2006. Mrs. Duhoski was born in Gaylord on January 23, 1916 the daughter of Vincent and Helen Koronka. She was a proud 1934 graduate of St. Mary High School and salutatorian of her class. Her true vocation in life was being a mother. Mrs. Duhoski worked at Hidden Valley for 20 years in the food service department. She was a member of St. Mary Cathedral parish. She enjoyed berry picking and gardening. On May 28, 1938 in Gaylord she married
Joseph Duhoski. He preceded her in death in 1992. Mrs. Duhoski is survived by her children, Jerry (Estella) of Mexico, Shirley Sewell of Gaylord, Barb Post of Cuyahoga Falls, OH, Joseph (Carole) of Gaylord, Jim (Judy) of Gaylord, Dorothy (Bob Nolan) Sandoval of Portland, OR, John (Bernadette) of Rochester Hills; 21 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; 2 sisters, Dorothy Matusik and Delores Koch. FUNERAL SERVICES will be held on Monday, October 2, 2006 at 11 AM from St. Mary Cathedral, Rev. John McCracken officiating. Burial will follow at Resurrection cemetery. Visitation at the Nelson Funeral Home will take place on Sunday from 2-8 PM and at the cathedral on Monday beginning at 10 AM. A vigil service will be held at the funeral home Sunday evening at 7 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary Cathedral Schools, through the Nelson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1548, Gaylord MI 49734.
Mrs. Carol Miles Granlund
Carol Miles Granlund, 53, of Gaylord, died Sunday, October 22, 2006 at home. Carol was born in Petoskey, MI on February 5, 1953 to William and Dorothy (Gruler) Miles. The family lived in Saginaw for a time and later returned to Petoskey. She graduated from St. Francis Xavier High School in Petoskey and received her BA Degree from Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti. Carol also studied in England. Carol spent her entire teaching career with the Gaylord Community Schools where she taught art and second grade. It was there that she met fellow teacher David M. Granlund. They were married
on August 9, 1980 at St. Francis Xavier Church in Petoskey. Carol was a member of St. Mary Cathedral, the Gaylord and Michigan Education Associations, and she was a founding member of Friends for Life. She was an avid reader and quilter, enjoyed traveling and was a member of the 100-mile club at the Otsego County Sportsplex. She is survived by her husband, David M. Granlund of Gaylord; daughters, Brianna Lynn Granlund of East Lansing and Elyse Katherine Granlund of Gaylord; her mother, Dorothy Miles of Petoskey; a sister, Kathy Wascher of Petoskey; a brother James (Beverly) Miles of Southern Pines, NC; and five nieces and one nephew. She was preceded in death by her father, William Miles. A gathering at the Nelson Funeral Home will be held on Thursday from 3-7 p.m. with a parish wake service at 7 p.m. A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Mary Cathedral on Friday at 3:30 p.m. with Rev. John McCracken officiating. Friends may gather with the family beginning at 2:30pm Friday. Memorial contributions to: Otsego County Library, Friends for Life, Hospice of Michigan or the Carol Granlund Scholarship Fund.
Mrs. Isa E. Gregory
Isa E. Gregory, age 86 of Gaylord died Thursday, October 5, 2006 at Tendercare. Mrs. Gregory was born in Germany on April 11, 1920. She had owned the Timberly Motel in Gaylord for 13 years and later worked at the Chalet for a short time before opening her own store, The Plum Shop. Mrs. Gregory had also done catering for Bishop Patrick Cooney and provided childcare to the Fruehauf family and Barb Chekoh. In her free time she traveled extensively. She was a member of the Eastern Star and Past Worthy Matron. In addition she was a member of the Otsego Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and Zonta. Memorial services were held from the Nelson Funeral Home, Rev. John Naile, officiating. Mrs. Gregory is survived by her son Kenneth C. “KC” (Lori) Gregory of Gaylord. Memorial contributions may b made through the Nelson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1548, Gaylord MI 49734.
Kathy Kestner
Kathy Kestner, 63, of Gaylord died Sunday, October 1, 2006 at home. A battle with breast cancer, years fighting Multiple Sclerosis and finally a battle with colon cancer have taken her life way to soon. Kathy leaves a mother who she loved and looked after for years, two children who will miss her, many cousins and aunts she held very dear to heart, four grandchildren, two great grandchildren with a third born on the day of her death, and thousands of friend who loved her dearly. She also left four cats that brought her great joy. Kathy lived her life to the fullest. A citizen of Gaylord for almost 35 years, she was a cornerstone of the downtown area with her business “The Framery”. She was a member of the Alpenfest committee, and was a past recipient of the Athena award. Kathy loved her church family at the Gaylord Evangelical Free Church and was appreciative of the love and faith she received from God. Her faith was her strength and her many friends and family provided her the energy to keep going. She will be remembered as a great mother, a hard working businesswoman who loved God, her children and friends, and the Gaylord community. Kathy leaves behind her mother Lillian, her daughter Gail and her husband Scott, her son Jon and his wife Paige and their children Tara, Dillon, Shianne and Keifer. Kathy would want to say thank you and I love you to all who have been by her side for the past several years. Rest well mother and friend, we will look forward to being with you again. The family would also like to thank Hospice of Michigan for all of their assistance and guidance. Friends may call from 5-8pm on Friday (Oct 6) at the Nelson Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00am Saturday (Oct 7) at the Gaylord Evangelical Free Church with Pastor Jim Mathis officiating. Friends may gather with the family at church beginning at 10:00am Saturday. Memorial contributions may be made to the church or to Hospice of Michigan, through the Nelson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1548, Gaylord, MI 49734.
Mr. Sylvester D. Koblinski
Sylvester D. Koblinski, age 67 of Gaylord died Sunday, September 24, 2006. Syl was born in Gaylord on March 11, 1939, the son of Julian and Cecelia (Basinski) Koblinski. He graduated from Johannesburg High School and later worked for Standard Products for 35 years. He was a member of St. Mary Cathedral parish and the Gaylord Eagles Lodge. He enjoyed fishing and gardening He loved to take walks and always took part in the Labor Day walk across the Mackinaw Bridge. Syl is survived by 2 daughters, Katherine (Steve) Heintz of Fort Myers, FL and Lisa Koblinski of Chicago, IL; brothers and sisters, Patricia (Ed) Prusakiewicz of Gaylord, Lucy Dunn of Perry, Victor (Michelle) Kobylinski of Gaylord, Jenny Allen of Gaylord, Julian Jr. (Chris) Kobylinski of Lansing, Gerald Koblinski of Lansing, Dorothy (Joe) Smilowski of Gaylord, and many nieces and nephews. FUNERAL SERVICES will be held on Thursday, September 28, 2006 at 11 AM, from St. Mary Cathedral, Father John McCracken, officiating. Visitation at the Nelson Funeral home will be held on Tuesday 4-8 PM, Wednesday 1-8 PM and at the church on Thursday beginning at 10 AM. St. Mary Altar Rosary Society will offer a rosary Wednesday afternoon at 3 PM and an Eagles Lodge memorial service will be held Wednesday evening at 7 PM. Burial will follow the funeral service at Resurrection cemetery in Gaylord.
Father Gregory Andrew Kurutz, OFM
Father Gregory Andrew Kurutz, OFM, was called to his eternal reward on Monday, October 2, 2006 at the age of 79.
Father Gregory was born October 1, 1927 in Chicago, Illinois to Andrew and Frances (Sturick) Kurutz.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Bernard.
He is survived by three brothers: Stanley of Milwaukee, Edward (Sharon) of Kernersville, North Carolina and Chester (Marilyn) of Brookfield, Wisconsin. He is also survived by one sister, Evelyn (Tom) Snur of Elida, Ohio; and his sister-in-law, Barbara Kurutz of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
He attended St. Francis Xavier Elementary School in Brighton, Wisconsin and St. Bonaventure Minor Seminary in Sturtavent, Wisconsin.
He received his B.A. at St. Francis College in Burlington, Wisconsin and his seminary education at St. Francis in Burlington, Wisconsin and Our Lady of Lourdes in Cedar Lake, Indiana. Father Gregory was ordained on June 14, 1954 at Holy Name Parish in Cedar Lake, Indiana.
He was a member of the Franciscan Order of the Province of the Assumption B.V.M. in Pulaski, Wisconsin.
Father Gregory began his priesthood at Our Lady of the Angels Parish in Green Bay, Wisconsin and came to the Diocese of Gaylord in 1978.
He served as Pastor at Mio, Glennie and Hale, and as Associate Pastor at Whittemore and Skidway Lake.
His most recent assignment has been Administrator and then Pastor at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Lewiston, where he has served since 1993.
He celebrated his 50th Jubilee on June 13, 2004 at the Parish in Lewiston.
Visitation was held on Wednesday, October 4, 2006, at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Lewiston.
The Funeral Mass was on Thursday, October 5, 2006, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Parish.
Burial will be in Pulaski, Wisconsin.
Condolences may be sent in care of Nelson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1548, Gaylord, MI 49734
