Dolores Ann Lakso

Dolores A. Lakso, 89, passed away Tuesday, October 23, 2018 at Carefree Living in Babbitt. A memorial service and inurnment will be held in the spring. Arrangements are with Range Funeral Home in Virginia. To sign the online guest book or to send condolences, please visit www.rangefuneralhomes.com

Dolores Ann Lakso was born February 19, 1929. Originally from Tower, Minnesota, Dolores went to country grade school in Vermilion Township by Pike River. Dolores graduated from Tower Soudan High School in the class of 1947. In 1951, Dolores earned her Bachelors of Science cum laude from the University of Minnesota and in 1958 she received her Master (M.A) from the University of Wyoming in Laramie, Wyoming.

Dolores began teaching English in 1955 at Virginia High School. In 1958 she accepted a teaching position with Virginia Junior College. Considered a "hard" instructor by students, Dolores made sure they learned during their sojourn in her classroom. She was respected by her colleagues as a promoter of the English language and its proper usage. In 1993 she received a Certificate of Honor from the Minnesota State Board for Community Colleges. Dolores always intended to retire early but she was happy at the community college and she stayed 27 years.

After retiring in 1985, Dolores spent much of her time with family and traveled to places she had never seen. She took two trips to Finland with her mother, Emma Lakso and aunt, Sylvia Matri (Lakso). While in Finland, they visited with many relatives and built lifelong bonds with them.

Dolores was a member of Gloria Dei Lutheran church. She always looked forward to the fishing season opener. She enjoyed fishing from her dock on Pike Bay Narrows of Lake Vermilion. Dolores always made sure that her mother, Emma, had her line in the water too. In addition to fishing, Dolores enjoyed blueberry picking and harvesting wild rice from local lakes.

Dolores is survived by her nephew, Michael (Jill) Ferguson and niece, Ann (Stephen) Locke (Ferguson). Dolores was preceded in death by her grandparents, Richard and Lena (Pederson) Lakso and grandparents, John and Anna Sofia (Ylinen) Matilla; parents, Jack and Emma (Mattila) Lakso; her baby brother; twin sister, Doris Ferguson (Lakso); nephews, Jack Ferguson and Donald Ferguson; and niece, Jennifer Ponte (Ferguson).

Member of the following associations:

National Funeral Directors Association

National Funeral Directors & Morticians Association

National Funeral Directors & Morticians Association

National Funeral Directors & Morticians Association

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dolores Ann Lakso, please visit our floral store.