Chatham––IRita J. Laakso,
86, former Chatham resident, entered eternal life Friday
evening, February 23, 2007, at the Norlite Nursing Center,
Marquette, where she had resided since July 2003.
Born September 30, 1920 in Detroit, a daughter of Joseph
and Flora (Chartrand) Dennis, Rita was raised in Marquette
and was a 1938 graduate of the Bishop Baraga High School.
She moved to Chatham where she was employed at the Michigan
State Farm. She married Elwyn Hawley and the couple began
to establish their home and raise a family. He preceded
her in death in 1955. In 1960, she married Ferdinand Laakso
and they resided in the Chatham area until his death in
1972. Rita worked for several years as a teacher’s
aide at the Eben Elementary School and also did babysitting.
She was an avid handcrafter, enjoying sewing and knitting.
Rita also enjoyed gardening, baking, and bowling. She was
a member of St. Rita Catholic Church in Trenary and the
former Chatham Bowling League.
Survivors include two daughters, Ann (William) Atherton
of Forest Lake and Susan (Ron) Dittmer of Bullhead, AZ;
five sons, William (Lynn) Hawley of Chatham, Joseph (Phyllis)
Hawley of Eben, Thomas (Kitty) Hawley of Zion, IL, Robert
(Donnette) Hawley of Cincinnati, OH, and Duane (Gina) Laakso
of Limestone; two step-daughters, Joyce Laurich of Marquette
and JoAnn (Ray) Brisson of Chatham; two step-sons, Allen
(Roberta) Laakso of Chatham and Dennis (Sue) Laakso of Milwaukee,
WI; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces,
and nephews. In addition to her parents, and two husbands,
Rita was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Desideria
Hawley; son, Frank Hawley; brothers, Peter and Charles Dennis;
sisters, Gertrude Hirt and Sr. Marie Noel; and her step-mother,
Florence Dennis.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated in St. Rita Catholic
Church, Trenary, on Thursday, March 1, at 11:00 am with
Rev. Jacek Wtyklo as celebrant. The family will greet relatives
and friends at a reception in the parish hall following
mass. Inurnment will be made in the Mathias Township Cemetery,
Trenary.
