Vivian M. Lantta

Vivian M. Lantta passed away peacefully on March 12, 2015, at the age of 92, with her son, Jim, at her side. Vivian was born on October 22, 1922, in Ramsay, Mich., the daughter of the late John and Hilma (Hill) Tapanila. 

Vivian's family moved from Ramsay to Saxon, Wis., in 1928, when she was six. On the first day at school, she only spoke Finnish but quickly learned English in first grade.

  When she was 14 years old, her mother died and she had to take care of her three sisters, Bertha, Vi, Betty; and brother, Tauno, and she missed one year of school. When she went back to school, she completed two grades in one year. She graduated from high school on May 21, 1941, at Saxon 1-12.

On January 17, 1942, Vivian married Stanley Lantta of Iron Belt, Wis. He preceded her in death on April 2, 2013.

Vivian worked at various jobs until she and Stanley retired in 1985. She lived in Saxon up to 1962 when the family moved to Seattle. Then in 1963 they moved to Janesville, Wis., until 1985, when Vivian and Stanley retired to their home in Saxon.

Vivian is survived by her four children, Dan (Pat) of Ft. Atkinson, Wis., Jean (Tom) Reynolds of Madison, Wis., Jim (Barb) of Janesville, Wis., and John of Janesville; 15 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by one sister, Vi Grasso; one brother, Tauno; her daughter-in-law, Lu Ann; and her great-grandson, Michael.  

A private memorial service for family and friends is planned for July at Lake View Cemetery, Saxon.

Cards or memorials may be sent to the Saxon Gurney Community Church.

Private online condolences may be sent to [email protected].

Arrangements are by Range Funeral Service and Crematory, Ketola-Burla Funeral Home in Ironwood.