Edwin V. Laine

Ishpeming- Edwin Verner Laine, age 93, of 757 Duncan, Ishpeming, passed away on April 1, 2011 in Marquette General Hospital while under the care of UP Home Health and Hospice staff, hospital staff, and his daughters.

Ed was born in Wawina, Minnesota on August 17, 1917 and was the eldest child of Jalmer and Hilma (Santapakka) Laine. He grew up on a farm and first learned how to install electrical wiring as part of the Rural Electrification Act (REA) program in the 1930's which brought electricity to rural America. He had fond memories of spending time in North Dakota with his cousins when he was young on his uncle and aunt's farm.

Ed entered the US Army on June 2, 1942 and trained at Fort Carson, CO. He landed on Omaha Beach in Normandy on the day after D Day and served in England, France, Belgium, and Luxembourg as part of a unit that installed electrical generators to support hospitals and food storage. He was in the Battle of the Bulge in December, 1944 and suffered from leg frostbite because many of the troops only had summer uniforms in the cold winter weather. He was discharged on November 3, 1945. He had many good stories of his time in Colorado and Europe and his nickname in the army was the "Finn."

Ed and Tyme Hill were married in Floodwood, MN on September 24, 1949. He worked as an electrician for Cleveland Cliffs Iron Company starting in 1947 on the Mesbi Iron Range in Minnesota until being transferred to Michigan in 1962 where he worked at the Republic Mine and then at the Empire Mine where he was the electrical foreman of outside operations. He retired in 1980 after 33 years.

Ed enjoyed reading, gardening including his rose hedge and tomatoes, woodworking, ice fishing, fishing in the Marquette harbor, hunting deer, picking every type of berry, dancing, music, traveling, and cooking. His family will miss his fried chicken and Finnish meatballs. His family, friends, and Finnish heritage were very important to him.

Ed was an active member of Bethel Lutheran Church, and he enjoyed attending both the English and Finnish services. He was a member of the Ishpeming Pioneer Kiwanis, Knights of Kaleva, and the VFW Post #4573.


Survivors include his daughters Mary Laine of Shoreview, MN and Donna Laine (Bill Reid) of Marquette, MI.; his sister Violet (Joe) Mike of Roseville, MN, five nieces; one nephew and cousins. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Tyme, in September, 2001; his sister, Inez Laine; and brothers Eino, Ernest, and Alvar.


Funeral services will be held 11:00AM on Monday, April 4, 2011 at Bethel Lutheran Church in Ishpeming with Pastor Lauri O. Maki officiating. Visitation will precede the service from 10:00AM to 11:00AM. He will be buried in the Wawina Cemetery in Wawina, MN.

Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 380 will conduct Military Honors at the conclusion of the funeral service.

Pallbearers will be Bill Reid, Jim Meyers, Ed Uuro, and Glenn Giuchin.

Memorials may be directed to Bethel Lutheran Church and the Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library.

His family wishes to thank his good neighbors and friends Laura and Glenn Giuchin, Jim Meyers, and Ed Uuro whose help throughout the years helped Ed to live in his home until his final few days. Thank you also to Dr. Cary Bjork and Lois Maki.

Ed's obituary may be viewed at www.bjorkandzhulkie.com where his guest book may be signed.