Obituary: Carl “Harve” Gasperich

As received from the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home:

Carl “Harve” Gasperich, 92, a resident of Calumet, Michigan, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, October 17, 2024.

Carl was born on May 28, 1932 in Tamarack Location to Frank and Amelia (LaJeunesse) Gasperich.

He attended area schools and graduated with the class of 1949 from Calumet High School. Carl was a Sergeant in the U.S. Army serving during the Korean War.

Carl was united in marriage to Roberta “Bea” Thomas on August 16th, 1952, and they were married for 72 years.

He was a proud miner and worked for Calumet & Hecla Mining Company as well as Homestake. Following his mining days, Carl worked for Mleko Construction in Baraga, Yalmer Mattila Construction in Houghton, Peninsular Gas Company in Calumet. He also worked as a crossing guard and custodian for the Calumet Public Schools. His working hands gave one hell of a handshake to everyone he met.

Carl cherished the outdoors and was an avid fisherman and hunter. He loved to tell stories about his trips to Stannard Rock, time spent on the “Big Lake”, and catching fish on the banks of rivers and streams in the Keweenaw. Each fall he relished in the pursuit of partridge or the big buck, which he achieved many times over. Time spent in the bush was time well spent.

Carl kept an extensive vegetable garden for decades and shared his harvest and seeds with everyone. He made dandelion wine, smoked fish and took pride in butchering his own deer. He could fix just about anything, and was a saver and collector in the best way possible. Carl handcrafted many things, from shelves to tools, and just about anything in between, embellishing each with his signature mark.

Carl wasn’t one to shy away from the microphone or the dancefloor at a party, singing Kenny Rogers, “Goodnight, Irene”, and any number of lively or love songs from memory. He loved to dance the polka with Bea, especially at the Fourth of July Celebration in Ahmeek. He was a die-hard Detroit Lions, Red Wings and Tigers fan.

Carl was a member of the Court North Star #17 Foresters of America for 63 years.

He was dedicated to his faith, attending St. Paul the Apostle Church in Calumet.

Carl is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Amelia Gasperich, brothers Joseph, Francis “Squirrel”, Albert, Raymond “Raj” Gasperich, and sisters Emma Swetish and Marguerite Tognetti.

Carl is survived by his wife of 72 years, Roberta “Bea” Gasperich, his children and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom he loved very much.

Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements. A Mass of Christian Burial took place at St. Paul The Apostle with Fr. Gracious officiating, and burial with military honors took place at Lake View Cemetery in Calumet.

The family would like to thank the staff at U.P. Health System Portage and the Aspirus Hospice team for their care and compassion.