LAAKSO - Charles Matthew Laakso husband of Mary Laakso of Yorkton, formerly of the Tantallon district passed away on Tuesday, January 24, 2006 at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre. He was eighty-seven years of age. Charles was born January 12, 1919 on the family farm near Tantallon, Saskatchewan. He was the fourth of eight children born to Emil and Hella Laakso, who had emigrated from Finland.
Charlie served in the Canadian Army during World War II and, following his discharge, he returned to Tantallon to take over the family farm. It wasn't too long before he started courting the new local school teacher, and on December 20 1946, he and Mary Bodnarek were united in matrimony.
Charlie was an excellent farmer who took great pride in raising fine cattle and exceptional crops. In addition to years of farm work, he was a familiar sight in area farmyards twice a day, Monday through Friday, as he drove the school bus for 39 years, without so much as a fender bender. He believed in hard work, but also in enjoying life. This quality manifested itself in his recreational pursuits including years of hunting with his friends and brothers-in-law, curling in many a local and regional bonspiel, and fishing with friends, family and his three daughters at the cottage in Round Lake, where he also discovered a keen aptitude for horseshoes. Charlie had a competitive nature, and excelled in everything he undertook, as was evidenced by the abundance of trophies that regularly made their way into the Laakso household.
Charlie and Mary left farm life in 1985 and began their retirement in Yorkton where they made many new friends, and where Charlie discovered new ways to occupy his time. Golf was a favourite activity for several years, but bowling, playing cards with friends, and early morning chats at coffee row were also among his favourite activities. Last but not least Charlie loved his new cars and did his part to support the retail automotive sector in Saskatchewan.
Charlie was predeceased by his sister Verna and brothers George and Albert. He is survived by his wife Mary and daughters Sharon, Darlene and Twyla, sons-in-law Brian Cupples and Stuart Nelson, brother Bill, sisters Alice, Ethel and Helen and several nieces and nephews.
Charlie Laakso had a quick wit, a wonderful sense of humour and a ready laugh. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Funeral Services were held on Saturday, January 28, 2006 at 2:00pm from St. Paul Lutheran Church in Yorkton with Pastor Darlene Harrison officiating. Words of Remembrance were given by nephew, Bill Olafson. The organist Carla Laycock led the congregation in the singing of the hymns 'Softly and Tenderly, Jesus Is Calling', 'I, The Lord of Sea and Sky' and 'Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness'. The hymn 'Beyond The Sunset' was sung by soloist, Ray Yost. Members of the Royal Canadian Legion
Alexander Ross Branch # 77 performed the Legion Burial Rite with Padre, Ed McManus, Sgt. At Arms, Joe Yurkoski. Fred Hastie, Andy Juba, George Arnold and Tom Ford served as the Colour Party. The Bugler was John Miller. Interment followed at the veteran's section in theGarden of Devotion at the Yorkton Memorial Gardens with Bill Olafson serving as the urnbearer.