Vivian M. Lantta

SAXON, Wis. — Vivian M Lantta, 92, passed away peacefully on March 12, 2015, with her son, Jim, at her side.

Vivian was born on Oct. 22, 1922, in Ramsay, the daughter of the late John and Hilma (Hill) Tapanila.

Vivian’s family moved from Ramsay to Saxon in 1928, when she was 6 years old. On the first day at school, she only spoke Finnish but quickly learned English in first grade.

When she was 14, her mother died and she had to take care of her three sisters, Bertha, Vi and Betty, and brother, Tauno; and she missed a 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 Jan. 17, 1942, Vivian married Stanley Lantta of Iron Belt. 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. In 1963, they moved to Janesville until 1985, when Vivian and Stanley retired to their home in Saxon.

Vivian is survived by her four children, Dan (Pat) of Ft. Atkinson, Jean (Tom) Reynolds of Madison, Jim (Barb) of Janesville, and John of Janesville; 15 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Vi Grasso; a brother, Tauno; her daughter-in-law, Lu Ann; and her great-grandson, Michael.

Graveside service will be held Saturday, July 25, 2015, at 11 a.m. at the Lakeview Cemetary in Saxon. Rev. Donald Nickolson will officiate.

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.