Laurence Wayne 'Larry' Kangas

WAKEFIELD, Mich. - Laurence Wayne "Larry" Kangas, 75, of Wakefield, died on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, after a brief battle with cancer.

Larry was born on Nov. 22, 1949, in Ironwood, a son of Gust E. and Lillian (Manninen) Kangas. He attended Luther L. Wright High School in Ironwood and graduated in 1968.

Larry lived his entire life within the Gogebic Range except when he proudly served his country in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany as a chemical equipment repairman.

Following his honorable discharge, Larry started a career at the Ironwood Area School District, where he fulfilled a variety of roles, including maintenance, custodial work and bus driving.

He would never miss a game of Michigan football game and would play the fight song every time the team scored. A Finlander at heart, Larry really enjoyed saunas, sweets and coffee and embodied the Sisu spirit.

He was an avid outdoorsman and loved hunting season.

Larry will be remembered as a very kind and caring person who loved all of his family and friends. He had a great sense of humor, albeit sarcastic at times.

Larry was a faithful member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ironwood, where he served as an usher and a council member.

He was loved and will be dearly missed.

Larry is survived by his beloved partner, Diane Buc; three daughters, Tanya (Marc) Tassin, Kristen (Steve) King and Sarah (Joe) Roebuck; two stepsons, Melvin (Amy) Pemble and Alex (Andrea) Buc; two stepdaughters, Shayla (Petr) Sevcik and Jolynn (Brandon) Becker; 19 grandchildren, Julia, Dylan, Abby, Luc, Courtney (Nate), Kaylee, Gabriel, Cyrus, Colleen, Evelyn, Faith, Gianna, Titus, Roman, Lucas, Veronica, Sierra, Pearl and Willow; two great-grandsons, Tucker and Sawyer; a sister, Arla (Sulo) Romo; his brother-in-law, Donald Cvengros; his sister-in-law, Helen Jakkola Kangas; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; five sisters, Vivian Katapol, Jane Cvengros, Joyce Hession, Bernice Supercynski and Dolores Stefanik; four brothers, Werner, in infancy, Keith, Robert "Butchie" and Marvin; and four brothers-in-law, Tom Katapol, Charles Hession, John Stefanik and Florian Supercynski.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, Feb. 7, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10 a.m., at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, 100 W. Midland Ave., in Ironwood, with the Rev. Nicole Hanson-Lynn officiating.

Following the service, full military rites will be accorded by the Ironwood American Legion Post 5 Honor Guard, assisted by the U.P. Funeral Honors Team.

Luncheon will be served at the church fellowship hall immediately following the military honors.

A committal service and interment will take place in the spring at Sunset Acres Cemetery in Ironwood.

Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield, is assisting the family. To send online condolences or to share a memory, please go to lakesidememorialchapel.com.