Vaira E. Wiitanen

Vaira E. Wiitanen, 87, Superior resident, died Thursday, December 4, 2014 at St. Francis Home in the Park in Superior. She was born on June 29, 1927 in Springbrook, WI to John and Elverta (Clyde) Lester.

Vaira worked at Southdale Nursing Home as a cook and then as a CNA for Park Point Manor and Fieldview where she retired in 1989.

She married Duane Wiitanen on October 4, 1969 and they celebrated forty-five years of marriage.

She was a member of the Darrow Road Wesleyan Church.

Vaira is survived by her husband, Duane; children, Jackie Marciulionis, Milwaukee, WI, Mashell (Leonard) Olson, Lino Lakes, MN, Herbert (Sonja) Kadlec, Muskogee, OK, Harriet (Todd) Harriman, White Bear Lake, MN and Susan Hudson, Superior; one sister, Vivian King; one brother, Norman Lester; thirteen grandchildren, Raymond (Angela) Marciulionis, Michael Olson, David (Judy) Olson, Renee (Kelly) Gatzman, Retta Kadlec, Cassandra (Jerry) Schommer, Brian Clark, Austin Jodell, Laura Martinez, Rachelle Marciulionis, Jennifer Covill, Carrie White and Beverly Patron and sixteen great-grandchildren, Jonathan, Samantha, Andrew, Joshua, Adriana, Hector, Brendan, Isis, Amaya, Tennely, Zander, Startling, Diana, Rebecca, Veronica, Mitchell

She is preceded in death by son, Gary Kadlec, her parents, infant sister, Betty Lester and son-in-law, Raymond Marciulionis and granddaughter, Jennifer Marciulionis.

Visitation will begin at 12:00 PM on Thursday, December 11, 2014 at Darrow Road Wesleyan Church, 4020 S. Darrow Road, Superior and continue until the 1:00 PM Funeral Service with Pastor Mark Holmes officiating.

Burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery.

The Downs-LeSage Funeral Home, 1304 Hammond Avenue, Superior is assisting the family with arrangements.

To leave an online condolence or to sign the guestbook, please visit
www.downs-lesage.com.