Obit: Laakso, Charles A. (1945 – 1972)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Laakso, Rohland, Sullivan, Hill, Dumke, Mattson, Samplawski, Mikola, Ebert, Maki, Hagen

---------Source: OWEN ENTERPRISE (Owen, Clark County, Wis.) 20 Apr 1972

Laakso, Charles A. (13 OCT 1945 – 15 APR 1972)

Charles Aaron Laakso was born on October 13, 1945 in Owen (Clark Co., Wis.). He was graduated from the Owen-Withee High School in 1963, and from Wisconsin State University, Stevens Point, in 1967, with a major in conservation and biology minor.

In October 1967 he was inducted into the U.S. Army and was stationed at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, and Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, before going to Vietnam, where he worked as a laboratory technician for six months. He was discharge in October 1969, after serving two years. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.

In February 1970 he began working in the laboratory of St. Josephs' Hospital, Marshfield, and was employed there at the time of his death, April 15, 1972.

He was well known for his kind disposition, willingness to served, and thoroughness in his work, therefore winning a host of friends wherever he went.

Conservation of nature was his goal in life, and so he pursued those sports related to it. His hobbies included hunting, Fishing, Bowling, Golf, photograph, and he had been taking flying lessons for some time. He lost his life pursuing his newst hobby, canoeing.

At the time of his death he was 26 years, 6 months and 2 days of age. Funeral services were held at the Hoeper & Kraut Funeral Home, with Rev. Robert Sullivan officiating, April 19 at 1 p.m. Interment was in the Riverside Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers for their friends were Dennis Rohland, Whitewater; Jerry Hill, Plymouth; Clarence Dumke, Oshkosh; Dick Mattson, Davenport, Iowa; Don Samplawski, River Falls, and John Mikola, Marshfield.

Music for the services was played by Mrs. Bert Ebert and Miss Kathryn Maki, and Mrs. Marilyn Hagen sang "Abide With Me" and "Beyond the Sunset."

Charles will be sadly missed by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Arne Laakso, Owen; two brothers, John of Minneapolis, and Michael from Menasha; and one niece, Kim of Menasha. A host of friends and relatives will also mourn his untimely passing.