As received from the Reid Funeral Service and Chapel. If you have questions about, or potential corrections to the content, please contact the funeral home directly.
Martha Anna Katarina “Mort” Huusko Supanich passed away on the afternoon of October 3, 2026, at the age of 90, a middling number for Huusko women. She was surrounded (perhaps too closely) by her five children and assisted by the Baraga County Home Care and Hospice team in her final days.
Martha was born January 22, 1936, in a sauna in Marengo WI, the youngest of 8 children. She grew up milking cows and taking care of her siblings’ children. She graduated from Ashland High School in 1954. She moved to Minneapolis MN and worked primarily at a jewelry store and as a telephone operator. Most of her time and energy was occupied by her love of country music, and she accumulated a vast library of memorabilia and photographs with her favorite stars like Johnny Cash, Webb Pierce and the Wilburn Brothers. On February 20, 1962, she married the love of her life, Paul Joseph Supanich and settled in L’Anse MI. She was a member of the Independent Apostolic Church.
Along with joyously raising her children and spoiling her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Mort enjoyed nature, particularly birdwatching, photography, reading, writing and entering contests.
She was preceded in death by Paul in 2010, her parents Hilma (Mattson) and Charles Huusko, Paul’s son William, brothers Ray (Libby) Rikkola, Jack (Ellen) Rikkola, Eino (Dorothy) Rikkola and Charles Huusko and sister Esther (Gordon) Lind.
She is survived by daughters Pam (Paul) Besonen of Trout Creek MI, Alice (Gary) Ehnert of Middleton WI and Nancy (Rob Hyatt) of Los Angeles CA, sons Faron (Rachael Parkhurst) of Lansing MI and John (Sierra Ayres), Paul’s sons Dan (Alison) of Rochester WA and Mark of Helena MT, sisters Jean McLaughlin of Puyallup WA and Dorothy Little of Ashland WI, sisters-in-law Shirley Huusko of Cornucopia WI and Anne (Jim) Sullivan of Waukegan IL, brother-in-law Tony (Terry) Supanich of Oregon WI, as well as numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and brothers and sisters in faith.
Friends may call on Friday, October 9 from 10 to 11 a.m. at Reid Funeral Service and Chapel at 18240 US Highway 41 in L’Anse. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. with Donnie Johnson officiating. Interment will follow at L’Anse Evergreen Cemetery and a light luncheon will then be served in the Harrington Gathering Room, located at the funeral home.
In remembrance of Mort the family asks that you take time to read a book, visit your local library or read to a child. Sympathy cards for the family may be sent to Pamela Besonen, 14536 Gardner Road, Trout Creek, MI 49967.
Reid Funeral Service and Chapel of L’Anse has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements. Martha’s obituary may also be viewed and condolences sent to the family at http://www.reidfuneralservicechapel.com
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