Donald Roberge

Don was born in Iron Mountain on Sept. 22, 1929, son of the late Michael and Helen (Popko) Roberge. In his teenage years Don already demonstrated his strong work ethic when he would travel to Door County to pick cherries.

Don graduated from Iron Mountain High School in 1947 and right out of high school moved down to Detroit to work in the auto industry. By the age of 19, Don secured a position with Chicago & Northwestern Railroad joyfully bringing him back to the Iron Mountain area. On Oct. 7, 1950, Don was married to his love of 65 years, the former Jeanette Andrews, at Saint Mary & St. Joseph Church in Iron Mountain. Their marriage was blessed with four children. Don retired from the railroad after 42 years of “snagging boxcars for a living.”

Don had a deeply rooted faith that he and Jeanette successfully shared with their children. He was a longtime member of Immanuel Baptist Church and also loved to serve his faith community through volunteering at Lake Ellen Bible Camp and other youth ministries such as AWANA. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying rabbit and deer hunting, boating and teaching the kids to waterski, gardening, and he particularly loved fishing both Bass Lake and Lake Superior. Don was also very handy, building his home on Bass Lake and later on his camp near Peavy Falls. He will be remembered for his exceptional humility and honesty.

Don will be deeply missed by his four children, Bob (Michele) Roberge, Paula Johnson, Jerry Roberge, and Michael (Teresa) Roberge of Lake Placid, Fla.; eight grandchildren, Amy (Brian) VanOss, Kevin Johnson, Dr. Matthew (Kristy) Roberge, Jesse (Emily) Roberge, Wesley Roberge, Danielle (Andrew) Lidbeck, Nicole (Wyatt) Caylor, and Alexis Roberge; 13 great-grandchildren, Drew VanOss, Elijah, Johnathan, Daniel, Abigail, Penelope and Heidi Roberge, Levi, Leah and Silas Lidbeck, Ethan Caylor, and Jace and Logan Thomason; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Don is preceded in death by his loving wife, Jeanette Roberge; brothers Robert, James, and Edward Roberge; and a son-in-law, Kenneth Johnson.

Visitation will be from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, July 15, at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home, 901 Carpenter Ave., with the Rev. Jim Danielson officiating the funeral service at noon. Burial will be in the Iron Mountain Cemetery Park.

Don’s family would like to thank his special caregivers, Donna Aberly and Ann Marie DeClark; as well as a special thank you to the entire staff of Maryhill Manor for their compassion, kindness, and care over the last 17 months.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Gideon’s Bibles in Don’s name.

Condolences may be expressed to the family of Donald G. Roberge online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home with the arrangements.