Mary Laakso, beloved mother, Nana, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away on March 2 at the age of 68. Her life was lived in love, faith, generosity, and a deep commitment to her family and community.
Born on February 15, 1957, to Mildred (June) and Alexander Orlowski in Duluth, Minnesota, Mary was one of 11 children and grew up in Iron River, Wisconsin. She graduated from Northwestern High School in 1976.
Mary raised her family in Superior, Wisconsin, where she worked at Cathedral School and the family insurance business. Later, she worked at the Douglas County Courthouse and moved to Dowling Lake in Wisconsin. She was an active and devoted parishioner of Cathedral of Christ the King in Superior.
Family was her entire world, and she poured her heart into creating a home filled with warmth, laughter, and delicious food–including her special banana bread and cinnamon roll recipes. She prioritized meaningful educational experiences that created lasting family memories while exploring local and national treasures. Mary encouraged her three children in their educational journeys and career endeavors, which she always saw as her greatest accomplishments.
Known as Nana to her grandchildren, the joys of her life, she ensured each one felt cherished and uplifted. Nana’s creative touches made every holiday and family gathering unforgettable. From color-coded Easter egg hunts for her grandchildren to Christmas scavenger hunts and Thanksgiving dinners, she brought everyone together.
Mary moved to New Richmond, Wisconsin in 2020 and was an active community member. She gave her time, energy, and kindness to several causes and was always willing to lend a helping hand. Her neighbors knew her for sharing her love of baking, cooking, and flower gardening. She was a member of the Saint Patrick Catholic Church and volunteered at the school, reading to her granddaughter’s class. She loved swimming and spent many hours in the New Richmond Area Centre pool, where she made many wonderful friends.
Mary made an impact on all who knew her. Her kindness, wisdom, generosity, and magnetic smile will be dearly missed but never forgotten. She leaves behind a legacy of love that will live on in the hearts of those fortunate to know her.
She is survived by her three children, Jennifer (John Larson) Laakso, Lucas (Krista) Laakso, and Clarissa (Michael) Mireau; her six beloved grandchildren, Dominic and Annabelle Laakso-Larson, Hayden and Hunter Laakso, and Finley and Amara Mireau; her sisters, Linda Ruska, Marie (Tim) Godfrey Olson, Patti (Tom) O’Connell, Collette (Paul) VanHove, Theresa Banick, Michelle (Bruce) Berg, Cheryl (Dave) Beetcher, Dawn (Mark) Gross, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, June and Al Orlowski; her sister, Rose Vogt; her brother, Michael Orlowski; her brother-in-law, Dennis Godfrey; and her grandson, Kallen Mireau.
A service will be held at Saint Patrick Catholic Church of Hudson at a future date, where friends and loved ones can gather to honor her memory.
Dear Mary, she was a super nice person and I am so sorry she passed away. I was getting to know her at The Centre and I knew she was a gal I could become friends with quickly. She told me where she moved to New Richmond from and I knew she was a fine Wisconsin woman from an area where people are amazingly nice people. I had lived there for a year, teaching in Poplar and Superior, and everyone is so “real” and nice there, that was Mary. God bless her loved ones as they move this sad time. Mary will always be remembered by those of us who met her, she was that good of a person.
Many prayers for the family.
I had good times growing up with my younger sister. “Me & You & a Dog Named Boo”. See you later Mary.
Love,
Patti ❤️💕❤️