Clarence Laakonen 85, of Calumet passed away Friday, July 25, 2014 at Houghton County Medical Care Facility where he was a patient since the end of April. He had been at Garden View prior to that. He was born to Thelma Kangas and William Laakonen April 26, 1929 in Laurium. He was confirmed in the Laurium Apostolic Lutheran Church, and graduated from Calumet High School in 1948. He joined the Air Force during the Korean War where he learned to be a machinist and work on airplanes at Sewart Air Force Base in Tennessee. He married Gretchen De Roche in August of 1953 in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Laurium. He worked as a machinist for Kimberly Clark of Neenah, WI, C&H Machine Shop, Painesdale Machine Shop, and Calumet Machine Shop where he retired early due to health problems. He was an avid cross country skier, runner, baseball player, hockey player, and peewee coach. He enjoyed playing the accordion, working outdoors, and fishing.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Arthur Laakonen, step father Arthur Koivu, half-sister Dianne Koivu, and brothers-in-law Edwin and Robert De Roche and Wayne Nester.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, sons Steven of Laurium, Brian (Charlene) of Calumet, and David of Calumet, grandchildren Naomi, Aaron, Bryana and Nathan, one great-grandchild Adam White, sister in law Esther L Nester, niece Susan Nester Huebner, and nephews Michael Nester and David Huebner.
Clarence was a loving and faithful husband and father and will be greatly missed. We thank Garden View, Houghton County Medial Care Facility, Dr. Janners and Pastor Fundum.
The Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home is assisting the family. There will be no public service and burial will be in the Lake View Cemetery in Calumet. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ericksoncrowlypeterson.com
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