Eddie John Sandene

WAKEFIELD, Mich. - Eddie John Sandene passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 3, 2017, after a short illness.

Eddie was born Aug. 17, 1932, in Ironwood, to Atte and Selina (Simila) Sandene. He attended Ironwood area schools and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School.

He married Dolores Facchinello on Feb. 19, 1955.

In his younger years he worked as a logger, hauling timbers to the area iron ore mines and hauling fallen trees from the Porkies after a tornado. One of his favorite stories was from the Porkies adventure. He went north to Tula and then drove 18 miles on logging roads to get to the job site, which was north of the Lily Pond. A bulldozer would push the logging truck up the hill. A block was put in front of the rear wheel to hold the truck. After the truck was loaded, the block was removed and down the truck would go. There was a 90-degree turn on the bottom of the hill. This was in the winter.

Eddie also worked at the Penokee Iron Ore mine. He loaded ore cars on the 29th level of the Pabst H shaft near Jessieville. It was hard dirty work but there was still humor and fellowship between the miners. In later years, his interest in mining led Eddie to begin sharing his experiences. He was a founding member of the Bessemer Area Historical Society and served as the president for many years. He also wrote a book about his family and his work experiences.

After the mines, Eddie went to work for Lake Superior District Power Company (now Xcel Energy). He started as a meter reader and worked his way up. He was a district manager in Park Falls, Wis., and retired as an industrial engineer after 25 years of service.

Eddie enjoyed fishing (especially trout fishing), partridge hunting, woodworking, genealogy and local history. He helped many people trace their family trees. He was a talented wood worker. He built a boat (painted red for fishing on the lake of the same name, Redboat), kitchen table, beautiful rocking horse and remodeled on his home in Palms Location.

He is survived by his daughter, Lisa Verhelst; son-in-law, Ed Verhelst; granddaughters, Tess (Verhelst) Mljenek and Jessi Sandene; grandson, Michael Sandene; great-granddaughter, Autumn Dolores Mlejnek (who will dearly miss her Papu); three stepgreat-grandchildren, Tyler, Angelina and Jacob; sister, Tynne Brown; and many nieces, nephews and wonderful friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife of 60 years, Dolores; his son, Timothy; his brother, Elmer; half sisters, Siiri, Olga, Eria and Helvi; and half brother, Leo.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 9, at Sebastian Catholic Church in Bessemer. Father Dominic Agyapong will be the celebrant. Eddie's family will receive relatives and friends one hour prior to the mass at the church Tuesday. The luncheon will follow in the church social hall.

We would like to thank the staff at Gogebic Medical Care Facility for their wonderful care and support during this difficult time.

Range Funeral Service and Crematory, Frick-Zielinski Funeral Home of Bessemer is assisting the family with arrangements. To send online condolences, visit rangefuneralservices.com.