As received from the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home:
EUGENE FRANK “MOX” MALNAR, devoted grandfather, father, and brother, left this world dimmer without the light of his smile on January 29, 2025. Eugene was born in Detroit, Michigan on August 2, 1942 and spent most of his youth making mischief in Copper City and Ahmeek, Michigan, where his family operated a well known tavern. He grew up with his brothers, friends, and cousins camping, exploring and enjoying the Keweenaw outdoors, and later became an avid rockhound.
Eugene was a veteran, drafted in 1964 and serving in Germany. Upon his return stateside, he held many jobs including road worker, mariner, construction worker, interior painter, appliance repairman, equipment operator, and maintenance worker, and more. Although his 1968 marriage to Priscilla Makie ended in divorce, it yielded three children–one stillborn son,Todd, and two daughters, Melissa and Diana, whom they amicably co-parented as friends.
Eugene never remarried, devoting himself instead to his sobriety, his children, and later his grandchildren with a boundless, steadfast love, always giving, always caring, always helping. Always telling stories that began with, “Did I ever tell you about the time when I –?” His grandchildren were eager for rides and adventures with “Gramps”, and even as he aged, Gene was always on the go, “roaming the streets” visiting and checking in on his family and many friends, and their pets, who loved Gene and his treats.
After leaving the Copper Country Gene lived in Arizona and then DePere, Wisconsin, working for Kraft Foods at an “easy cheese” plant and doing maintenance at the Union Hotel, where he lived and made many friends. In retirement, Gene often visited his daughters and grandchildren back in the UP and many other places, including his stomping grounds in Germany. He finally returned home to the Copper Country he loved in 2018, gifting his family and friends with many precious memories. Always humble and modest, Gene likely had little idea of how much he was loved and appreciated, and how much he will be missed. Per his request, cremation has taken place and a service will be held in June to honor and celebrate his memory.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Venla (Waara) Malnar; his son, Todd Anthony, his brother Dennis, and many close friends. Surviving are his brothers: Edward Malnar [Fond du Lac, WI], and Paul (Kathy) Malnar [Bootjack, MI]; his daughters: Melissa (Roger) Pirkola [Traprock, MI] and Diana (Michael) Langdon [Kearsarge, MI]; his grandchildren: Lyla Pirkola [Sacramento, CA], Luke Malnar [Copper City], Tessa Pirkola [Salt Lake City, UT], and John Langdon [Kearsarge, MI]. Also surviving are his former wife, Priscilla (David) Karpinen and brother-in-law, Roger Makie; lifelong friend “L.A.” Lamerand, many cousins, and many friends too numerous to name, especially those from Lake Linden housing, Aspirus Hospital, and Keweenaw Pines. For all of your kindness and love that touched Gene’s life, we are all so very grateful.
The Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Online condolences for the family may be left at www.ericksoncrowleypeterson.com
