DIORITE, Mich. — Shirley Ann Laakso, age 85, of 165 Granite St., Champion (Diorite Location), passed away Sunday, December 18, 2016, at home surrounded by her loving family.

Shirley was born March 9, 1931, in North Lake Location in Ishpeming Township to Clifford and Viola (Majamaki) LaParche. She moved to Diorite as a young child and lived there for the rest of her life.

Shirley attended Ely Township School from kindergarten through eighth grade and graduated from Ishpeming High School in the Class of 1949.

She married Arne "Muna" Laakso on May 29, 1950, and was a stay-at-home mother when her children were young. Shirley later worked as a cook's helper at Ely Township School, a cashier at the Diorite Store, and a clerk at the J.C. Penney store in Ishpeming. From 1973 until her retirement in 1996, she worked for the NICE Community Schools as a bus driver, custodian, and cook.

Sports were a big part of Shirley's life. When she was in high school, she was an avid ski jumper and was chosen as a Ski Queen in 1949. She played alongside her daughters in the Iron Range Women's Softball League into her 50s as a third baseman and catcher. In 1976, at age 45, she was the oldest participant in a tournament in Hurley, Wisconsin—and earned tournament MVP honors. Shirley threw horseshoes in the Ishpeming Women's Horseshoe League until 2015 and also participated in Community Schools Thursday Night Volleyball for many years.

Called "Grandma Shirley" by all who knew her, she loved spending time with her family and watching her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in their sporting events. She spent many weekends through the years at her camp on Lake Superior and also enjoyed watching the Detroit Tigers and playing Yahtzee.

A member of Bethel Lutheran Church in Ishpeming, Shirley also belonged to the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 114 in Greenwood and attended the monthly breakfasts of the IHS Class of '49 for several years.

Shirley is survived by her children, Barbara (Steven) Liubakka, Bruce (Maryjane) Laakso, Sherry (Gordon) Murray, Alan (Randi) Laakso, Joyce Cote, and "adopted" daughter Becky (Wilfred) Eikey; a sister, Lou (Edward) Ouellette; grandchildren, Kelly (Lance) Miller, Krystal Foreman, Kara (Bradley) Cox, Kasey (Chad) Raisanen, Lindsey (Michael Larson) Laakso, Captain Kaylee (Captain Erik Campbell) Laakso, Rev. Michael (Rev. Nicole) Murray, David Murray, Traci (Kevin Hamel) Murray, Jason Laakso, Jeremy (Karen) Laakso, Jennie Laakso, Stacy (Chris Wixtrom) Nardi, Mindy (Jim Koski) Nardi, Michael Nardi, Laura Nardi, and "adopted" grandson Jeremy (Amanda) Ouellette; 31 great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law, Melvin (Gail) Laakso; sisters-in-law Elsie Isotalo and Pearl Anderson; special niece, Shannon (Kenneth) Junak; special nephew, Mark (Jodi) Ouellette; and numerous other nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Arne "Muna" Laakso, in 2013; her parents; daughters Arlene April in 1957 and Ann Marie in 1968; an infant sister, Bernice; and brothers Robert in 1965 and Marvin in 2006.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 21, 2016, at Bethel Lutheran Church in Ishpeming. Shirley's family will greet friends and relatives from 11 a.m. until the time of the service, at noon. Lunch will be served at the church following the service.

The funeral service recording, when it becomes available, can be found here .