Ray W. Laakso

Ray W. Laakso, 86, Brule, died peacefully on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012 at St. Luke's Hospital in Duluth with his family by his side.

He was born Oct. 2, 1925 in a sauna in Oulu, Wis. to Charles and Aina (Jaakola) Laakso and was a lifelong area resident.

Ray married Agnes Johnson on April 5, 1950 in Duluth and celebrated 61 years of marriage.

He drove trucks throughout his working life, including dump trucks, snow plows and milk trucks. He also owned and operated his own cattle farm and did logging. His main job was a contract bus driver for South Shore School District for 43 years. In the 1960's, he worked on the pipeline of which he was the union steward.

Ray also enjoyed outdoor activities including hunting and fishing which he enjoyed sharing with his three children. He also enjoyed taming and caring for all animals, large and small including cats, dogs and all his cattle.

It also brought Ray great pleasure to keep in touch with his relatives Seppo, Mirjiam, Renita and Rosita in Turku, Finland.

Ray was a former Oulu Town Board Supervisor.

In addition to his wife Agnes, Ray is also survived by two sons, Steven (Eunice) Laakso, Oulu, Wis., Gordon (Mary) Laakso, Superior; one daughter, Renita Laakso, Oulu, Wis.; seven grandchildren, Lisa, Ray, Rebecca, Diana, Jennifer, Lucas and Clarissa; 15 great-grandchildren; one sister, Aunie Maki, Esko, Minn, two sisters-in-law, Faye Laakso, Maple, Ruth Laakso, Lake Nebagamon; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by an infant son, Loren Ray Laakso; two brothers, Arne and Martin Laakso and three sisters, Kathryn Kangas, Marie Teppo and Lillian Coda.

Visitation will begin at 1:00 until the 2:00 p.m memorial service on Saturday, Feb. 18, in the Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home.

Burial will be in the Hillcrest Cemetery, Oulu, Wis.

Honorary pallbearers for the service will be Lucas Laakso, Ray E. Laakso, Dave Pearson, Glenn Teppo, Marty Laakso and John Johnson.

Ray's family would like to thank the staff and volunteers from St. Luke's Hospice for their exceptional care and kindness especially Cheryl, Beth and Tina.

Send a condolence or sign the on-line guest book at www.lenroot-maetzold.com.

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