Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
BESSEMER, Mich. – Ida Florence (Laakonen) Wick, 94, of Bessemer, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, at Villa Maria Health and Rehabilitation Center in Hurley, Wisconsin.
Ida was born on March 21, 1930, in Superior, Wisconsin. She was adopted at six months old to the late George and Mary Magdziak. She was a resident of Ironwood until 2011. Ida then moved to Bessemer to live with her daughter, Donna, and son-in-law, Mike.
On Jan. 10, 1948, she married Wilbert "Bolla" Laakonen and raised four children together. Wilbert passed away on Feb. 12, 1994.
Ida carried many jobs during the years from driving a forklift at Santini's Distributing Company, working in the deli at Red Owl and cleaning various motels in Ironwood.
She was a member of Fitness Express (and the oldest member) since 2005, and rarely missed a day of exercising. She loved to go on overnight bus trips to the casinos and having coffee with the girls Friday mornings after having her hair done.
Ida is survived by a daughter, Donna (Mike) Maslanka; her daughter-in-law, Cindy Laakonen; six grandchildren, Kathy (Kevin) Ramage, Scott (Laura) Laakonen, Ron (Staci) Laakonen, Lisa Laakonen, Richard (Lindsey) Laakonen and Jill (Bob) Decker; and eight great-grandchildren, Connor Ramage, Austin Laakonen, Chase Laakonen, Kayla Laakonen, Richard Laakonen Jr., Memphis Laakonen, Sophia Decker and Ellie Decker.
Besides her parents and husband, Ida was preceded in death by a daughter, Mary Laakonen, in 1970; a great-grandson, Josh Roskowski, in 2007; two sons, John Laakonen, in 2022, and Donald Laakonen, in 2024; and a brother, Donald Mahoney, in 2018.
Per Ida's request, cremation has taken place. A private service will be held at a later date.
Ida's family would like to thank the staff at Villa Maria Health and Rehabilitation Center, Dr. Theresa Sheehan and Dr. James Rocco for the compassionate, excellent care given to Ida.
Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield, is assisting the family with arrangements. To send online condolences or to share a memory, please go to lakesidememorialchapel.com.
