Vernamae Hibbeln, age 94, of Ontonagon, died peacefully Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, in Ironwood.

She was born in Ontonagon on July 26, 1931, to the late Einar and Mary Alina (Honkavaara) Kangas. Vernamae graduated from Ontonagon High School in 1949. Her high school activities included chorus and the home economics club.

She married Walter Charles Hibbeln on June 27, 1953 (Walter’s birthday), at the Holy Family Catholic Church with Rev. Owen J. Bennett officiating.

Vernamae worked as a telephone operator in Rockford, Illinois, while Walter was in the U.S. Navy.

They lived in Detroit before returning to Ontonagon where they owned and operated the Go-Inn Bar in Green for 17 years. Also known, as the Green Onion, the Go-Inn became a community gathering place for locals and visitors to the area.

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