Lauralie Siiri "Lori" Branstrom

1942 - 2025

Lauralie (Lori) Siiri (Luthanen) Branstrom July 16, 1942 - June 4, 2025
On June 4th our beloved left a big Mom-Nana-GiGi-Friend shaped hole and heaven gained a whole lot of Sisu.
Lori was born in Ely, MN to her joyful parents Siiri and Laurie Luthanen, joining her older brother, Adrian. She grew up with strong and beautiful connections to her family, sauna steam, and days at the lakes. Connected always to flora and fauna, especially to birds and deer, she absorbed all the "up north" the forests had to offer, and passed along her extensive knowledge of natural lore to her children and grandchildren.
Lori and her family moved to Babbitt for her Senior year of high school and she was a member of Babbitt's first graduating class in 1960. That year she participated in swim, cheerleading and band, and she worked as a lifeguard at Babbitt beach.
Following graduation, Lori attended Humboldt Business School in the Twin Cities and landed a job with Northwest Orient Airlines. Adrian introduced her to John (Jack) Branstrom and they were married on August 18, 1962 and settled in the suburbs.
In November, 1963, they welcomed their daughter Siiri Marie. They shortly moved to Nevada where Jack took a job with the IRS, and they were blessed with their son Steven Bradley in September, 1965.
A number of moves finally landed the family in Eveleth, MN where Jack started his own accounting business and Lori took care of the nuts and bolts, but most of all her focus was on KIDS. Not just hers, but any who landed on the doorstep and beyond. Lori was a fixture at Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Job's Daughters, DeMolay and every other pursuit Siiri or Steve fancied. They were never told, "you can't do that" and were supported in every way. As were the kids they brought home. To make sure all these little ducks stayed in a row, she chaperoned everything!
She never knew who or how many might need to crash for the night or need breakfast in the morning, but it never mattered. There was always plenty of space, plenty of food, no judgement and lots of love from the adored "Mrs. B".
As the kids she nurtured grew, she focused on her grandchildren and their shenanigans, attending games, meets, performances and created lots of play time. After retirement (ironically from the IRS) and Jack passed on, she settled back in Babbitt in her house on Birch Lake. She enjoyed working in the library, spending time with family and friends and baking and cooking for all. She found joy in quiet days, watching the birds, the lake, sunsets and sunrises from her picture window in the kitchen which she called her "big screen TV" (the "little" one reserved for weather and Jeopardy!).
Lori made it clear that she was at peace, loved her life and everyone in it and had no fear of the next adventure. At a private service for her, she sang, "All is Well With My Soul". Toward the end, her grandson Lucas was her constant caregiver, along with his comfort dog, Saphira. Both gave her immeasurable happiness and calm.
Lori will meet these and other much-loved souls on the other side: her parents, husband Jack, brother Adrian, cousins, friends and in-laws.
She is survived by her daughter Siiri (Michael Peters) Branstrom, Son Steve (Gail) Branstrom, Grandchildren Linnea (Jeff) Janas, Lucas Branstrom and Ian (Lydia Symchych) Peters and her great grandchildren Aili and Oskar Janas.
A small gathering will happen at a later date.
Arrangements by Landmark Funeral Home, Virginia