Clyde John Mantta

BERGLAND, Mich. — Clyde John Mantta passed away June 8, 2014, after a short illness.

He was born May 14, 1938, the son of Clyde and Adele (Peterson) Mantta, in Hancock. Clyde grew up on the family farm in Tapiola. He graduated from Doelle High School in 1952. As a young man, Clyde worked on the Great Lakes Ore Boats sailing on the P.D. Block and the Wilfred Sykes. Soon after, Clyde took a job at White Pine Copper Company working in the power plant.

In 1964, he and his wife, Patricia, bought a home on Sandy Beach on Lake Gogebic. In 1965, the family moved to Green Bay, Wis., and later to the Fox Valley, where Clyde spent his professional career working as a maintenance manager at area paper mills. Before retiring from Kimberly Clark, Clyde had started building a new log home at Sandy Beach. He was very happy to retire there with his dog, Loki.

Clyde was very mechanical and could fix most anything. He also had a great sense of humor. Clyde was very proud to be a Finn and a Yooper. He spoke Finnish well, as that was the first language he learned as a boy. More than anything, Clyde loved Lake Gogebic and had a sign made for his cabin in Finnish that translated to “How Sweet It Is.”

Clyde spent his later years living at Tendercare Heath Center in Munising. The family would like to thank Tendercare and all the wonderful people who did such a great job caring for him. Clyde was also a life member of the Order of the Eastern Star and the Free and Accepted Masons of Michigan.

Survivors include his daughter, Patti (Steve) Williams; and grandchildren, Chester (Signe Peterson), Riley (Marty Kleven) and Thomas (Lauren) Williams, all of Wisconsin. Clyde was blessed with two great-grandsons, Aiden and Wesley Williams.

Also surviving is Clyde’s beloved brother, Gerald Mantta, of Tapiola. Gerald is the finest example of unconditional brotherly love that a man could have. Clyde is also survived by his niece, Lynette Mantta, of Tapiola; and his nephew, Steve (Deb) Mantta of Lake Station, Ind .; as well as other relatives and friends.

Clyde was preceded in death by his parents; and sister-in-law Ruth Mantta.

A private inurnment ceremony in Houghton will be held at a future date.

The Cane Funeral Home, Bruce Crossing Chapel is assisting the family. Friends may view Clyde’s obituary and leave messages of remembrance at canefuneralhome.com.