Karen Kasper, Ishpeming Area Historical Society vice-president of the Board of Directors, guides participants through Ishpeming Cemetery. Kasper coordinated this year’s program to inform attendees about former prominent figures in the community. The Ishpeming Area Historical Society is hosting cemetery tours throughout July. (Journal photo by Corey Kelly)

ISHPEMING — The Ishpeming Area Historical Society is hosting cemetery tours throughout the month of July. The tours showcase some of Ishpeming’s most influential residents such as Charles Stakel, Kenneth I. Sayer, Mabel Sundblad and more.

Last year, tours were focused on World War I veterans, said Karen Kasper, guide and Ishpeming Area Historical Society vice-president of the Board of Directors. Kasper coordinated this year’s program to inform attendees about former prominent figures in the community.

“They are people that I primarily recognized as individuals who were important in Ishpeming at one time, but most of the people today would not have heard of them,” said Kasper.

On their first tour of the summer, Kasper stopped at the gravestone of former Mayor Sven Eklund, who served during the city’s centennial celebration in 1954. Unbeknownst to Kasper, Eklund’s children happened to be in the tour group. Filled with pride for their father’s accomplishments, Beth Leheup, Janice Schryer and Steve Eklund were surprised and delighted to see that he was featured in the program.

“I didn’t know what was going to be covered, but I wanted to come here regardless,” said Eklund’s son, Steve Eklund, who was visiting from Ann Arbor.

Kasper told a story that included Eklund’s daughter, Beth Leheup. When the town switched from an operator system to a direct dial system, Mayor Eklund was the first person to make a direct dial call in the city. Eklund’s daughter, Leheup, answered the other line, becoming the first residents to make a direct call in the Ishpeming area.

“The cemetery tours are not just for people with a connection to Ishpeming,” said Kasper. “They are for anyone who would like to know about the area’s history and the persons who helped build the community.”

Tours are scheduled every Tuesday throughout July, starting at 6 p.m., with a $5 donation per person to benefit the historical society. Participants meet in front of the sexton’s office in the cemetery. This tour includes moderate walking.

Corey Kelly can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 243.