Frances "Mary" Sundberg

ISHPEMING, MI - Frances “Mary” Paju Sundberg, age 89, longtime Ishpeming Township resident, passed away peacefully on January 25, 2026, at Mill Creek Senior Living Community, while in the loving care of her family, the wonderful Mill Creek Staff, and UP Health and Hospice.

Mary was born November 8, 1936, in Ishpeming to the late Harley J. and Edith M. (Blewett) Paju. She graduated from Ishpeming High School, Class of 1954. After graduation Mary moved to Washington DC and worked at the Pentagon for a year. Mary also worked at Bell Memorial Hospital in Ishpeming for over 20 years, retiring in 1998 from Admitting/Registration.

Upon returning to the Ishpeming area, she married George “Pickles” Sundberg (d.2023) on March 16, 1957. After retirement, they spent many winters in Florida and Lake Havasu City, AZ. There they enjoyed bus trips to Las Vegas, Bingo, cribbage and dominoes with friends. Mary also enjoyed traveling, including to London, whereas an avid Royal family follower she was thrilled to see the Queen (driving by in her Royal Processional). She also took many trips around the U.S. with her daughters where she could pursue her interest in History including Gettysburg, Mt. Rushmore, Washington D.C., New York City and Niagara Falls just to name a few.

Mary was gifted with a wonderful singing voice and began singing at a young age. She was in her teens when her and cousin Betty Dunstan sang several times on local WJPD radio in Ishpeming. She was active in music and choir at Ishpeming High School and continued on with Choral Club, Allegro and many local musical productions at the PAAC/Vista Theatre. She was a member of the Salisbury Methodist Church choir as well as 50 plus years in the Wesley United Methodist church choir. She also shared her gift of music as a beautiful part of hundreds of weddings, funerals and other special events.

In addition to travel and music, Mary had many interests including playing in the Negaunee cribbage League with her son, playing Bridge, playing and competing in Women’s horseshoes, (with many trophies throughout the UP), reading, collecting Princess Di memorabilia, picking blueberries and spending summers on Blue Lake in Gwinn. She also enjoyed cooking and baking, including making breads and muffins to share.

Mary is survived by her children; Mark (Sheila) Sundberg of Ishpeming, Linda (Chuck) Cloninger of Greenleaf, WI, Alyson Sundberg of Ishpeming, and Deb Rose of Smithville TX. Grandchildren; Nicole (Shawn) Brinkman, Michael Sundberg, Matthew (Amy) Sundberg, Jeffrey (Blair Rathjen) Cloninger, Christina Cloninger, Stephen Nault, Jodie (Eric) Blackburn-Bradley and Charlotte (Mark) Curtis, a brother-in-law Robert (Jeanne) Sundberg of Fairbanks, Alaska, ten great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband and parents, her in-laws; Ragmar and Janice Sundberg, her sisters and brothers-in-law; Alice June (Robert) Tarter and Janet (Neil) Rinne, her brother, Jack and her sister-in-law, Dolores Palasz.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at Wesley United Methodist church in Ishpeming with Pastor Scott Sherrill officiating. The family will greet relatives and friends from 1:00 p.m. until the time of services. Pallbearers will by Mary’s grandchildren. Internment will take place at Northland Chapel Gardens in the Spring.

In lieu of flowers please consider donations to the Ishpeming Carnegie Library or the Bell Auxiliary at Bell Hospital, Ishpeming MI

A full obituary may also be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com, where relatives and friends are invited to leave notes of remembrance.