Robert Ranta Obituary

GWINN, MI - Robert William Ranta, 87, boarded his pontoon, pulled up anchor and set course for the other side early on the morning of Wednesday, June 29, 2022. He passed peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, while under the care of UP Home Health and Hospice.
Bob graduated from Graveraet High School in 1952; it was during his high school years that his lifelong love of football began. An avid Packers and Spartans fan, he eagerly awaited kickoff every September and loved to dissect the games with his coffee klatch crew. He also never missed the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday of each May.
After graduation, Bob returned home to help his father run the Hillcrest Dairy. He also spent eight years as a reservist in the Army National Guard. In 1986, he switched gears and founded Veryfine Transfer, which he operated until his retirement in 2006. He and his wife Nancy then moved permanently to Mehl Lake in Gwinn. Throughout his life, he enjoyed all things outdoors: skiing and snowmobiling in his younger years and also hunting, fishing and boating on his beloved Mehl Lake. Over the years, he enjoyed the camaraderie of various mule deer, elk and pheasant trips out West with his friends. He especially loved big family gatherings at the lake, encouraging those who had left the area to "renew their UP citizenship" with a good sauna. He was loved and will be missed.
Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Nancy (Juntunen) Ranta. Two daughters: Dawn (Jerry) Williams of Skandia, and Tamara (Ruben) Taborda of Doylestown, PA. Two sons: Scott Hostetler of Marquette, and William (Carey) Ranta of Newton, MA. There are also eight grandchildren and four great grandchildren. In addition, there are sisters: Marlene Hanson of Marquette, Sheila Hoyles of North Venice, FL and Cathe Peterson of Port St. Lucie, FL. There are also many nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death were his parents William Ranta and Mary (Laukka) Ranta.
Services will be held on Wednesday, July 6, 2022, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Harvey. The family will receive visitors beginning at 11:00 AM with the service at noon. Rev. Alex LaChapelle, pastor, will officiate. A lunch will follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Bay Cliff Health Camp, P.O. Box 310, Big Bay, MI 49808 or UPAWS (Upper Peninsula Animal Welfare Shelter), P.O. Box 968, Marquette, MI 49855.
We would also like to thank the various physicians and nursing staff at UPHS, Marquette, who cared for him during his stay.
Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com
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