Munising

Michael A. Rautanen, age 71, of Munising, died Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at the home he grew up in, surrounded by his loving family following a courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease. He was born in Munising to the late Arne and Eva (Root) Rautanen on September 30, 1954. Mike graduated from Wm. G. Mather High School in 1972 and was the manager of the Mustang Basketball Team. He began working in the woods logging with his father. He then worked at Hub’s Super Valu and was there for twenty-six years becoming the produce manager, and in that time he only missed one day of work. While working at Hub’s he met Paula Gettas, Mike took her snowmobiling and Paula brought him back to church. They were married on September 2, 1978 and together they raised their three kids. In 1998, they owned and operated Menominee Meats and Grocery in Menominee, and although the store didn’t work as planned, Mike knew they did everything they could. The family moved back to Munising and Mike started working for Timber Products, first in the filing room and then saw mill until retiring in 2022. He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, and fishing. He never missed a season. He would take Kayla on road hunts during bird season and the boys to the St. Mary’s River looking for walleye. Mike was a loving father and did everything he could for his kids. He coached baseball and helped coach the basketball team to two conference titles at the Munising Baptist School. Mike loved sports and cheering on his favorite team; he was a diehard Michigan Football fan, but he could still cheer for Tom Izzo and the Spartans in basketball, Green Bay Packers, Boston Celtics, but his favorite was the Munising Mustangs. Mike didn’t just talk about sports with his kids and grandkids; he taught them the game. Whether he was coaching the team, talking about game plans, or putting that first little golf club in their hands, he had a great connection with the kids. He was also talented golfer and bowler. First and foremost, Mike was a man of God. He was a member of the Munising Baptist Church where he served as deacon for many years. He and Paula were involved and volunteered at many youth group activities, and they would even drive out of town to pick up the kids that wanted to attend. Mike was a special man and will be missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife of over forty-seven years – Paula Rautanen of Munising; children – Augustus (Kayla Anne) Rautanen of Marinette, Jared (Amanda) Rautanen of Munising, and Kayla (Joe) Perron of Wetmore; grandchildren – Paige, Lylah, Josiah, Carter, Makai, Lyrik, Atley, Ashton, Breckin, Emma, Ezekiel, and Kenadie; siblings – Arnold (Shirlee) Rautanen, David (Sandy) Rautanen, Marilyn (Ed) Morrison, and Arlene (Doug) Sertich; sisters and brothers-in-law – Judy Rautanen, Kathy Tackett, Pat (Wes) Rommel, Belinda (Joe) Belinski, and Peter Gettas, Jr.; and he was wonderful uncle to numerous nieces and nephews. Mike was preceded in death by his – parents – Arne and Eva; brothers – Bill and Robert Rautanen; in-laws – Agnes and Peter Gettas; and brother and sisters-in-law – Donna Karr, Eddie Mulraney, and Rose Kania.

Visitation will be at the Munising Baptist Church in Wetmore on Saturday, April 11, 2026 from 1:00 until 3:00 p.m. Pastor Jason Laflamme will conduct Mike’s memorial service at 3:00 p.m. Interment will be at Maple Grove Cemetery at a later date.