Brenda Ann Frazier
March 20, 1964 – April 14, 2026
Brenda Ann Frazier, 62, of Gould City, passed away Tuesday evening, April 14, 2026, at McLaren Northern Michigan in Petoskey, surrounded by her loving family.
Born March 20, 1964, in Detroit, Brenda was the daughter of Lawrence Sr. and Marilyn (McNeil) Frazier. She was baptized at St. Stephens Catholic Church in Naubinway and graduated from Holly High School. Throughout her life, Brenda held several positions, most notably serving as an Executive Secretary, a role in which her dedication, professionalism, and attention to detail were deeply appreciated.
In 2014, Brenda made her home in Gould City. Most recently, she worked as a cook at the family restaurant, Country Girl Diner, in Naubinway. She was a proud member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and found joy in concerts, car races, and spending time outdoors—especially skiing, which brought her great happiness.
Brenda was preceded in death by her mother, Marilyn.
She is survived by her children, Charles Chase of Gould City and Danielle (Joe) Koslakiewicz of Farmington Hills; her cherished grandson, Sawyer Koslakiewicz of Farmington Hills; her father, Lawrence Sr. of Naubinway; her sister, Michelle (Mark) Bliszack of White Lake; and her brother, Lawrence Jr. of Gould City.
A graveside celebration of Brenda’s life, with Native American Rites conducted by the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, will be held on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Newton Township Cemetery in Gould City. Following the service, family and friends are invited to gather at 3:30 p.m. at the Newton Township Hall for food and refreshments.
Condolences may be shared at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Gilbert Joseph Phaneuf
July 17, 1936 – February 26, 2026
Self-proclaimed ‘old man in the woods’, Joe Phaneuf passed away in the company of his devoted dog Coco while enjoying the winter scenery out the window of his beloved cabin. He was 89 years old.
Joe disliked his given name of Gilbert, so encouraged people to call him Joe. He could fairly be described as a difficult person, alternatively irascible and good-humored. He valued nature and people with survival skills – he built a modest collection of books on edible plants and natural medicines.
Joe’s life, as is true with most people, had distinct periods. In a simple and brutal way Joe’s life can best be understood as having two halves – pre- and post-accident. In his late 40’s Joe lost his left arm while working solo on his small commercial fishing vessel The Sea Serpent. Prior to the accident Joe served honorably in both the US Marine Corps and the US Air Force. He had a real talent with carpentry, fishing, and farming. He made his living working with his hands and he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.
Following the accident Joe was a lost soul for a few years. He wandered the US in a van with his dog Thunder. They traveled the backroads of our country and stayed at free campgrounds and rest areas as long as permitted. After several years, Joe started looking for a place to build a cabin and settle down. He was introduced to Michigan’s UP by one of his traveling acquaintances, and he purchased property outside of Newberry. Over the years he worked to build a home off the grid and strove to become self-sufficient and independent. He was truly happiest when he was alone at his cabin in the woods.
A number of people will remember Joe fondly. He could be generous and funny. He was fortunate to have a community of neighbors who watched out for him, assisted him, and forgave him for his sometimes anti-social behavior.
Joe leaves behind his mother Mildred Phaneuf, sister Mary Hoffman, and his brothers Tom and Charles Phaneuf. He’s survived by his children Joseph Phaneuf (Janine), Karen Churchill (Paul) and Dianne Murphy (Mark). He’s also survived by eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
