Effie E. Laukkanen

Effie E. Laukkanen, 92, longtime Oulu, WI resident, died Thursday, January 19, 2012 at Golden Living of Superior. She was born on February 22, 1919 in Quincy, Mass. to William and Selma (Mansikkamaki) Halonen.


Effie was raised in Finland from the age of two until she was eighteen at which time she returned to the United States.


She danced at the World’s Fair in New York in 1939, she was a great cook and loved baking “Finnish Pullaa” and cookies. She loved knitting and giving it away for many people to enjoy. Effie’s family was always of greatest importance to her.

Effie had worked for the South Shore School District as a cook for the Oulu School for many years.

She is survived by one daughter, Pirkko (Douglas) Olson; two sons, Hjalmer “Bill” (Evelyn) Lappalainen Michael (Betty) Sauvola; one stepson, Milton (Betty) Somppi; thirteen grandchildren, Liisa, Lynn, Marie, Paul, Laura, Scott, Jennifer, Kristen, John, Marie, Michael, David and Dorothy; seventeen great-grandchildren and she is also survived by the Mason Family, the Lindelof Family and the Tuura Family.

She was preceded in death by her three husbands, Eero Lappalainen, Hans Sauvola and Hugo Laukkanen; one granddaughter, Julie Sauvola and a brother, Topi Halonen.

Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until the 11:00 AM Funeral Service on Monday, January 23, 2012 at Hope Lutheran Church in Oulu, WI. Pastor Scott Stai will officiate.

Burial will be in the Pine Glade Cemetery in Oulu, WI in the Spring.

Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

To send a condolence or sign the on-line guest book, visit our website at www.lenroot-maetzold.com.