Oscar Oliver Froberg

O CAPTAIN! My Captain! Our fearful trip is done;…..“Captain” Oscar Oliver Froberg, age 84, passed away Monday, January 15, 2018 at the Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette, MI after succumbing to advance stages of dementia.  He was born in Munising, MI on November 6, 1933 to Gertrude and Oliver Froberg.  Oscar graduated from Munising High School in 1951.  After high school, he worked as an auto mechanic helper at Kimberly Clark until he enlisted in the Army serving time from May 12, 1953 through April 14, 1955.  Oscar served most of his military time stationed in Guam and Korea.  After serving his military time, Oscar returned to employment at Kimberly Clark as a general laborer where he remained employed for a total of over 20 years.  On July 12, 1958 he married the former Kathleen Boyak and together they raised three children Jeffrey, Stephanie and Stacie.  Oscar worked 11 years from 1983 – 1994 for the federal government as a large equipment operator for KI Sawyer AFB. Over the course of his lifetime, Oscar and Kathy (with the support of their children) owned and operated several businesses in the Munising area, including the Sears Roebuck Store, Taylors Cleaners, and most notably, the Forest Inn Supper Club.

Oscar’s greatest love was enjoying time on the great Lake Superior with his family.  He had a great respect for the tremendous power yet beauty of this incredible body of water.  Oscar was a confident captain and owned several boats through the years.  This passion lead him to yet another business venture owning and operating a Fishing and Diving Charter business and captain of the 36 foot steel hull Chris-craft Roamer named ideally the “Wreck Trek.”  Eventually, Oscar pursued and achieved his 100 ton license to serve as a captain on the Pictured Rocks Cruise fleet for several seasons.  He also had a love for the outdoors, namely deer and rabbit hunting and fishing.  During winter, “ice conditions permitting,” he was known to venture to the great “White Rock” on the extreme north western tip of Grand Island to ice fish.  He also found success elk hunting out west and enjoyed the camaraderie of friends at deer camp  when he was a member of the Buckers Hunt Club on Grand Island and  Over the Hill Hunt Club.

Finally he was a devoted representative of the Ahmed Shrine as a Mason and then later as a Shriner.  At various times in his life, Oscar was a member of the Munising Legion, Moose, and Rotary clubs.  In the mid 70’s, he was also a very committed and active leader for the Castle Rangers Drum and Bugle Corps.

Oscar is survived by children; -  Stacie Hillier of Macomb, MI and Stephanie (Rory) Pierson of Munising, MI; Grandchildren -  Alex Hillier, Abbie Hillier, Jessica (Cody) Dhondt and Carl Pierson; siblings - Pauline (Paul) Knuttila of Munising, MI and Richard Froberg of Munising, MI; nieces and nephews, Brad Froberg of Green Bay, WI, Terry Froberg and Nick Froberg of Munising, Duane Knuttila of Munising, Todd Knuttila of Munising, and Peggy Knuttila of Farmington Hills, MI.Oscar was preceded in death by his beloved son, Jeffrey Froberg of Munising, MI and his parents,   Gertrude and Oliver Froberg.

Services will be held at the Bowerman Funeral Home on Saturday, January 20, 2018.  Visitation will be from 12:00 noon until 2:00 p.m.     Pastor Ann Gonyea will conduct Oscar’s funeral service in the funeral home’s chapel at 2:00 p.m.   Interment will be at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Munising on Thursday, May 17, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. where the American Legion and Vietnam Veterans Honor Guard will conduct military honors.

Memorials in Oscar’s name are asked to be made to the Jacobetti Home for Veterans Activity Fund, 425 Fisher Street, Marquette, MI  49855.