Charlotte Laitinen

1924 - 2017

In loving memory of Charlotte B. Laitinen of Neebish Island, Michigan, who went home to be with the Lord on August 6, 2017 surrounded by her family.
Charlotte was born in Potato Creek, WI on July 15, 1924 to the late Harrison and Katherine (Meddaugh) Atchinson. She graduated from high school in Wisconsin and worked during World War II for Allis Chalmers Air Plane Division as an aluminum welder. There she met and married Ty Laitinen on February 22, 1943. After his stint in the service, they moved back to Neebish Island where Ty was raised. They had four children and raised a nephew.
While the kids were still home, she operated a grocery store from her house. After they were gone, she took over the mail route on Neebish Island and delivered the mail for four years.
Charlotte was an avid quilter, belonged to the Neebish Island Women's Group, and was a member of the Neebish Island Presbyterian Church.
She is survived by three sons: Les (Diane) Laitinen of Neebish Island, MI, John (Diane) Laitinen of Dafter, MI, and Daniel (Deborah) Laitinen of Barbeau, MI; a nephew: Bruce Laitinen of Massachusetts; a niece: Jeannie Laitinen of Alaska; two sisters-in-law: Velma Atchinson of Arizona and Pat Laitinen of Saginaw, MI; eight grandchildren: Darryn (Robyn) Laitinen, Amy (Don) Hildebrand, Rich (Kerry) Laitinen, Ann (Brian) Scales, Rob (Tracey) Laitinen, Joe (Dawn) Laitinen, Michael Laitinen, and Michele (Thomas) Hughes; seven great grandchildren: Kaylee (Brian) Davenport, Kara Laitinen, David and Danielle Scales, and Audrey, Elizabeth, and Daniel Laitinen; three step grandchildren: Nicole (Guy) Blanchard, Noelle (Christian) Palasty, and Natalie (Bob) Patterson; and five step great grandchildren: Merrick, Keegan, and Kinley Palasty, and Asher and Beckett Blanchard.
She was preceded in death by her husband: Ty Laitinen; a daughter: Constance Conley; a son-in-law: David Conley; her parents: Harrison and Katherine Atchinson; two brothers and four sisters.
A funeral service will be held at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, August 8, 2017 at the Neebish Island Presbyterian Church with Reverend Joseph Stump officiating. Friends may call at the church from 3 p.m. until the time of the service. Burial will follow at the Neebish Island Presbyterian Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left to the Long Term Respite Care (c/o War Memorial Hospital) or for playground equipment at the Neebish Island Community Center (c/o Diane Laitinen) in Charlotte's memory.
Arrangements are being handled by C.S. Mulder Funeral Home and Cremation Services. Condolences may be left online at http://www.csmulder.com/