George Thurner, W8FWG

George Rudolph Thurner, W8FWG, of 225 Kearsarge St., Laurium passed away on Tuesday Nov. 14, 2023, after a short illness.

He was born November 5, 1934, in Laurium, Michigan. He was predeceased by his parents Joseph and Frances (Dumke)Thurner, a sister Elizabeth Thurner, a sister Helen, (Alfred) Messner, five brothers, Arthur (Virginia K.), Alfred, Frank (Rhoda) Thurner, Henry (Katherine) Thurner, Charles (Ann) Thurner, sister-in-law Lennita (Harms) Thurner, a stillborn male child on September 1927, and his first wife, Virginia (nee Goulette) Plute Thurner.

He is survived by a sister-in-law, Ann Thurner, four step-children from his first marriage: Virginia K. Miracle, David L. (Gail) Plute, Cheryl A. Plute, Donna M. (Mark) Simmons, 12 step-grandchildren, 19 step-great-grandchildren, and a sister-in-law, Mary Harju.

He recently married his “Angel”, Antonia June Burich KE8SMB, on June 3, 2023, to which he pursued for ten years. Antonia survives him along with a sister-in-law Colleen (Dennis-passed in 2019) Fritcher, a (brother-in-law Myles-passed in 2020) Rose Burich, a brother-in-law Craig (Sue) Burich, a brother-in-law Blake (Pink “Lori”) Burich, a brother-in-law Kent (Deneen) Burich, a foster sister-in-law Carol Jean Koski, a (foster sister-in-law Theresa Ball Meyers Green-passed 2023) and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and a plethora of HAM Friends of which Jeff Stricker W9GY was recent best man, along with many close friends and work pals.

He was a former member of St. Paul Lutheran Church of Laurium for 43 years, serving as a deacon and in 1993 became a member of the Sacred Heart Church of The Keweenaw Catholic Community in Calumet, serving as an usher and money counter for many years. He was employed by Michigan Bell Telephone Co. and was a member of the Communications Workers of America Union, Local 4024, he worked in the Calumet-Laurium, Keweenaw, Hancock-Houghton area for 39 years, retiring in 1994. He was a member of the Telecom Pioneers of America. He attended the elementary schools of Calumet, Morrison and Washington, Calumet High School, graduating with the class of 1952, and entered Michigan Technological University, majoring in electrical engineering.

His parents owned and operated Thurner’s Quality Bakery in Calumet, where at the age of 5, George started working by sweeping the floors. He was an avid amateur radio enthusiast, “HAM”, since August 3, 1960, holding the call sign of W8FWG. Do not delay, become a “HAM” today! He belonged to the American Radio Relay League, and was a member of the Keweenaw County Repeater Association, the Copper Country Radio Amateur Association, the Superior Amateur Radio Association of Ontonagon, the Baraga County Repeater Association, and was an honorary life member of the Husky Amateur Radio Club of Michigan Tech. He was a member of the Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT). He was a member of the United Hearts of Jesus & Mary Rosary Group and enjoyed his life to its fullest.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, George wishes you to contribute to a new local non-profit for Homeless Military Veterans called, “SOLDIER SALVATION” c/o Range Bank Calumet, MI 49913. A Mass of Christian rite will take place on Monday December 4,2023 at 11 am, with a viewing prior to service, from 10:00am to 10:45am, at the Sacred Heart Church located at 56512 Rockland St. Calumet MI, with Fr. Gracious Pulimoottil, officiating. A pot-luck luncheon is to follow. Burial will take place in the Lakeview Cemetery of Calumet Section 35.

Remembering: Geroge, W8FWG

As W8FWG, George’s widow, I know he would want me to write something. As MOST of our Families, and HAM Friends local and abroad know how much it meant to George for us to be “together”, it also meant a lot to me. My Heart hurts for him and longs to be with him. I thank God we had all the time we had together, and in his honor, will continue to do my best in HAM Radio and all we were involved in. George was a fine gentleman, loving, caring, intelligent, extending all he could to help someone else. It truly is an honor having the Club call sign after “our” dear George. Please continue to talk about him and share stories. Legends must live on past our lifetimes. Thank you all for your Love and support, George would be so happy to know this is being carried out. “73”. God Bless you all. KE8SMB ANTONIA

I best remember George as always ready to assist in any emergency situation. When I lived in Copper Harbor there were several times when storms caused damage along M-26 between Copper Harbor and Eagle Harbor. Although he was retired George would drive M-26 checking for damage to phone lines. Dick, KA8L

Howard Klann, KD8ABP

CALUMET — Howard Frederick Klann, 69, of Calumet, passed away on June 19, 2018.

Howard was born in Detroit, on June 5, 1949, and graduated from Dearborn Fordson High School in 1967.

He was a U.S. Army combat veteran, serving in Vietnam from 1968 to 1970. Howard was also an Army reservist from 1971 to 1991 as a master sergeant retired.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Evelyn Klann; and a sister, Judy Penny of Sacramento, California.

He is survived by brothers, Kenneth Klann of Dearborn, and Karle Klann of Bloomberg, Pennsylvania; sister, Linda Haythe of San Diego, California; nephew, Dennis Russo of Redding, Pennsylvania; and niece, Elizabeth Yaden of Sacramento, California.

Howard moved from Dearborn to Calumet in 2003. He was involved with the VFW and enjoyed his U.P. Ham Radio family. He enjoyed spending time with his wonderful neighbors and friends in Calumet.

Gary Hansen, K8YSZ

Hansen, Gary Mr. Gary Lee Hansen (K8YSZ) of Harbor City, Los Angeles County, CA, age 76, passed away, with family by his side, on Monday, February 7, 2022. Gary was born on May 9, 1945, in Grand Rapids, MI, to his late parents, Norman and Ruth (Hintz) Hansen. He grew up in Rockford, MI, and attended Rockford High School, graduating in 1963. After high school he attended Grand Rapids Community College, and ultimately received a BS from Western Michigan University in 1969. Gary began his career with the Grand Rapids Police Department in 1974, working briefly as a dispatcher, and then as a radio technician. He was an accomplished amateur radio enthusiast from a young age, and that passion for radio was a constant in both his professional and private life. As a young man he also enjoyed hunting, fishing, and playing bluegrass with friends. On July 30, 1983, he married Dianne Hunting, who he had known since childhood. They married in Rockford, MI, and honeymooned in Copper Harbor, where they developed a deep love for the area, which ultimately led them to move to the Keweenaw when Gary retired in 2002. Upon retiring to the UP, Gary and Dianne became a beloved addition to the Keweenaw community. They attended Grace United Methodist Church and loved entertaining and cooking for friends at their dream home in Bumbletown, MI. Preceding him in death were his parents; his classmate, wife, and best friend, Dianne Hansen; as well as his daughter, Bobbie (Rettig) Fike; grandson, Andrew Colin Hunting Buck; and great grandson, Harper Adams. Surviving him are his daughter, Becky (Bruce) Westby of Sierra Vista, AZ; son, Nate (Rachel) Hansen of Lomita, CA; nine grandchildren, Ashley (Tom) Adams of Wilmington, NC, Olivia Fike, Jedidiah Fike, Lourdes Fike, Caleb Westby, Alex Westby, Max Westby, Roselyn Hansen and Gabby Hansen; great grandchildren, Corbin and Fiona Adams; and brother, Bill Hansen of Troy Township, MI.

William Boutwell, KB0BK

Obituary published on Legacy.com by Erickson-Crowley-Peterson Funeral Home – Calumet on Jul. 6, 2026.

William “Bill” Boutwell, a devoted husband and loving father, passed away at the age of 77 on July 1, 2026.

Bill was born to William and Toni Boutwell in Ashland, Wisconsin. He attended Michigan Technological University where he earned degrees in Chemistry and Engineering Administration. While a student at Michigan Tech, Bill met the love of his life, Mary King. They were married in Calumet in 1968.

After working for the Environmental Protection Agency in the Twin Cities, Bill and Mary moved to Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota, where Bill worked for Erie Mining Company and where they raised their family. He later held management positions at Georgia Pacific and Minnesota Power. Shortly after Bill retired from Minnesota Power in Cohasset, Minnesota, he and Mary moved to Laurium, Michigan, where Mary was born and raised.

Bill’s greatest joy was his family. He was a loving husband to Mary and an incredibly proud, supportive father to his three children Brett, Brandy, and Bart. He shared his love of downhill skiing with his children and spent many days and weekends with his family skiing in Minnesota and Upper Michigan. He also enjoyed spending time on his boats fishing on the Iron Range or cruising on Lake Superior. An amateur radio (HAM) enthusiast, Bill was also known as KB0BK to his friends in the amateur radio community in the Midwest and around the world.

As the years went on, he found great joy watching his grandchildren Madison, Emma, Josie, and Eloise grow into amazing individuals. He cherished every moment spent with them.

He will be remembered as a kind, smart, and caring man who deeply loved his family, his dog Cameron, and erecting HAM radio towers.

Bill is survived by his children Brett (Tonia), Brandy (Lynn Rosen) and Bart (Heather Grovum), and his brother Sam Boutwell (Sandy). He is also survived by his grandchildren Madison, Emma, Josie and Eloise. He was preceded in death by his parents and by his wife Mary who passed in 2024.

KBOBK has gone silent key, but his signal will remain in our hearts forever.

The Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences may be left at www.ericksoncrowleypeterson.com