Gretchen Laakonen

Gretchen Laakonen, 92, passed into eternal life on Saturday, November 15, 2025 at Omega House where she resided for one month. She fought a lifelong battle with congenital heart failure with strength, courage, determination, and faith in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

She was born to Marie and Arthur DeRoche on April 23, 1933, and spent her childhood in Florida Location. She was a lifelong member of St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church in Laurium where she served on the altar guild and newsletter team. She graduated from Calumet High School in 1951. She worked for Gately's department store in Calumet, and was a Michigan Bell Telephone Operator. She married Clarence Laakonen in August 1953 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, then moved with Clarence to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, where he was stationed at Stewart Air Force Base. They later moved to Appleton, Wisconsin where he worked for Kimberly Clark. In 1966, they moved back to Calumet where he worked for C&H, Painesdale Machine Shop, and Williams Machine.

Gretchen gave birth to three sons: Steven of Laurium, Brian of Calumet, and David of Calumet. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 61 years; two brothers – Edwin and Robert; a sister Esther Nester of Neenah, WI, and brother-in-law Wayne Nester of Neenah.

She is survived by her sons, daughter-in-law Charlene, four grandchildren: Naomi (Greg) Carrier of Marquette; Aaron (Lindsey) of Concord, MI; Bryana (Shane) VanLinn of Neenah, WI; Nathan (Leanne) of Hancock; four great grandchildren: Adam White, Lilja, Sylvan, and Eliana; a niece Susan (Nester) Huebner of Neenah, a nephew Micheal Nester of Neenah, and special friend Sandy of Calumet.

Gretchen loved to cook, bake, go camping, go on walks, and pick berries and make homemade jam. She made a loving home and was always there for her family.

Gretchen's family would like to thank Omega House for their kind and compassionate care, and Dr. Hafeman and Dr. Janners for many years of caring service to her.

Private services will be held at Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home with Rev. Bryan Lundquist of St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church to officiate. Burial will take place in Lake View Cemetery in Calumet.