Obituary: Glenn Doug Raudio

CALUMET – Glenn Douglas (Doug) Raudio, 78, completed his journey to fly with the angels on Thursday, September 13, 2018. He had most recently resided at the Houghton County Medical Care Facility since February. We want to thank David, Ryan and all the nursing and aide staff for their kind and compassionate care of our Dougie.

Doug was born to Norman and Agatha Raudio on July 31, 1940 in Jerome, Arizona. Later, the family moved to the Copper Country and settled on a farm outside of Calumet. Growing up, Dougie worked on the farm, milking cows, chopping wood, making hay, going to the mailbox daily, and occasionally, much to his father’s chagrin, he sunk the tractor tires deep into the swamp. In the house, Doug was a fixture at the kitchen sink, taking his time peeling potatoes and meticulously washing the dishes after supper. No one else was allowed to do HIS chores! Being the last kid at home, Dougie took on the job of milking our one last cow twice a day for years. In the winter, he trudged through snowstorms on his well-hardened path, a few times slipping off the path and spilling the milk. He also played many a baseball game in the front yard, and was a star goalie in road hockey, giving his brothers, nephews and neighbor boys a run for their money! He really had the moves in the net, which was defined by two blocks of snow.

Soon after his father died in 1995, Doug moved to Marquette to live with his sister, “Susie”. Over those 19 plus years, it became very obvious that Doug blossomed in his approach to life, making friends wherever he went.

His passion for sports continued, and he attended every possible football, basketball and hockey game at NMU, Marquette High School and Lakeview Arena. He was also a diehard Detroit Red Wings, Lions and Pistons fan. He’d yell from his room while watching a game, “Susie! They scored!” The Highlight of his life happened in 2016 when he was invited to be a guest of the Carolina Hurricanes for the Hockeyville festivities and NHL game at Lakeview Arena. Everywhere he went with his sister, they would hear, “Hi Doug”, and he would always know the person’s name. He had the memory of an elephant, and his dad would call him his ‘personal computer’.

Doug was preceded in death by his parents, Norman and Agatha, sister Carol, infant brother Steven, nephew Eric Langley and brother-in- law, Preston Langley. Those of us who remain in this world who are heartbroken at the loss of our brother/uncle include siblings, Marilyn Langley, Bruce (Dorothy) Raudio, Mary Lou (Allen) Pesola, Dave (Blanche) Raudio and Sue Satterlund. Also so very sad to lose Dougie are special nephew, Lee (Annette), who visited Doug almost every day at the nursing home to make sure he got to watch the Red Wings and Tigers; other nephews and nieces, Gary (Nancy), Mary Lynn (John), Steve (Julie), Carol (Marty), Jackie (Jim), David, Kathy (Jim), Kelly (Dan), Jeff, Debbie (Jon), Jolene, Dawn (Bart), Amy, Seabrook (Brianna), Serene, Sonya (Jamie) and many great nieces and great nephews.

Dougie was a jewel, a unique and precious gift who was loved by so many. He shed his light on everyone he encountered through the years; from his beloved family and friends at the YMCA of Marquette; to all the people that came to know him growing up in Calumet, and at the Armory where he spent so much time enthusiastically cheering and yelling at the refs; to all the other sports fans who knew him from his attendance at all the games in Marquette. We can speak for everyone who knew him that we love you and will miss you so much, our dear Doug. One endearing saying he had between his brother-in- law Al and him was, “I’m a dandy, hey Al?”

Funeral services are scheduled for Thursday, September 20 at 11 a.m. at the First Apostolic Lutheran Church in Calumet with the Rev. David Taivalkoski officiating.

Friends are invited for visitation from 9 a.m. until the time of the funeral service. A luncheon will follow at the church and burial will be at the Lake View Cemetery.

Memorials in Doug’s name may be directed to the Marquette YMCA, whose staff watched over Doug all through the years, or the First Apostolic Lutheran Church of Calumet. Ryan Funeral Home is serving the family.