Peter Gummerson

Pete was born June 26, 1956, in Newberry, MI to Ray and Dorothy Gummerson. Most of his childhood was spent growing up on the family farm just outside of town where he first developed his love of food and the great outdoors. He was the youngest of four children and had a great deal of help along the way from his three older sisters. The Gummerson family moved to Prospect Street in Marquette his freshman year of high school and he graduated from MSHS in 1974.

Pete served in the US Navy for four years where he was a cook for the captain and his crew. His passion for food continued to grow and for a time he had a small business called “UP Pickles” where his famous pickled eggs were sold at establishments from Copper Harbor to Grand Marais and beyond. While residing in Ishpeming, he also worked at the Tilden Mine, retiring in 2005 as a production truck driver. He loved his job and the people he worked with throughout those years “down in the pit”.

His biggest passions in life were food, especially canning and preserving, and most of all fishing, whether it was threading a crawler on a hook to catch a brook trout or bouncing a down rigger off the bottom of Lake Superior in pursuit of a laker. He knew fishing holes on the Big Lake the way his dad and the other old timers did – by way of landmarks and watching the depth finder. Whether or not he was in the “right” spot didn’t matter though; he always had a good time on the boat and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of camaraderie with his crew. Like any true fisherman, the stories would get taller with each telling and the legends unfolded over time.

Pete was also a huge fan and supporter of music. He enjoyed singing with Marquette Choral Society over the years as well as with the choir at the Community Presbyterian Church in Big Bay. Everyone who met Pete surely has a story to tell, and likely one with humor. His sense of the world was unique and those who knew him well expected such an experience when in his presence. His heart was big and his judgments of others absolutely non-existent.

Pete is survived by his son Peter of Marquette (Elsa Jensen, children Ayler, Etta, and Aero), step-daughter Libby Nelson of Rhinelander, WI (husband Doug, children Carter and Abby), sister Gail Fehr of Atlanta, MI, and sister Sharon Young of Marquette (husband Ward).

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Sue, and ex-wife Kathy.

A celebration of life will take place on Saturday July 12th from 3-5 pm at the Powell Township Hall in Big Bay, MI.

Peter’s obituary may also be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.