Frank “Bunny” William Stubenrauch, 85, of Ahmeek, passed away peacefully Friday, August 22, 2014 at his home after a brief battle with cancer.

Frank was born in Lead, South Dakota on February 2, 1929 to Hattie (Gohmann) and Frank Stubenrauch, Sr. The small family then moved to the Copper Country in 1931 so his father could work in the mines.

He graduated from Calumet High School in 1946 at the age of 16 and then joined the army in September and served until August of 1948.

On March 16, 1963 he was married to Linda Jarve.

He attended Michigan Tech for one year and graduated from Northern Michigan with a degree in education in 1953. Frank always loved being in the woods, and enjoyed the hard work of logging. He did it full-time after his college graduation. However, he then decided to put that on hold and he began a career in education that spanned three decades, beginning first at the Gay School for two years, the Skanee school for five years and finally became Superintendent for Copper City and Centennial Schools and Title I director and food service director for the Calumet schools.

However, even though he worked in the education field in some way full-time, he continued to do logging on the side until his retirement from the school district in 1986. He then turned to logging full-time to create Stubenrauch and Sons, as he managed to pass on his love of the occupation to his two sons. He continued to do so until his retirement in 2004.

Frank also enjoyed politics and found fulfillment in being a Keweenaw County Commissioner for 22 years, serving as a County Chairman from 2001 to 2006. He was very invested in protecting the rights of the locals and the integrity and welfare of the County itself. He was also a member of the Keweenaw Lions Club, CLK Sportsman Club, American Legion Post 230 of Mohawk, Toastmasters, and for over 30 years he belonged to the Ahmeek Fire Department.

Frank is survived by his wife Linda (Jarve), two sons Robert (Tammy) of Ahmeek and Steven (Linda) of Laurium, daughter Terry (Dan) Dube of Allouez, 7 grandchildren, 2 step-grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, sister Jean (Bill) Eckloff, step brothers Lee Gustafson, Wesley Niemi and Martin Niemi, special nieces and nephews and close friends Steve Danis, Arnie Kilberg, Jeff Turnquist and Gordie Jaaskelainen.

He is preceded in death in by his parents, his brother Robert, his sister Roberta Niemi and step brother Marvin Niemi.

Visitation will be held on Friday August 29, 2014 at the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home in Calumet from 5 – 8 PM and on Saturday from 1 – 2 PM.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday August 30, 2014 at 2:00 PM in the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home in Calumet with Pastor James Fundum to officiate.

Online condolences can be left for the family at www.ericksoncrowleypeterson.com.

The family wishes to pass on a special thank you to Dr. Michael Luoma and the staff of Aspirus Keweenaw Home Nursing and Hospice for the excellent care given by them to Frank in his final days.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Frank William Stubenrauch, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.