Sandra Ellen Lasanen (Hyrkas)
“Sandy” Lasanen, 62, passed away Sunday morning June 28th, 2015 at her home in Big Traverse surrounded by her husband and family after a courageous battle with breast cancer. She was born in Laurium, MI to Eli and Hilda Hyrkas (Haakasaari) on January 30, 1953 and attended Centennial and Calumet schools, graduating in 1971. She attended Nursing school at Northern Michigan University and graduated in 1973.
She married Dennis Lasanen in Calumet, MI on November 29, 1975, and they made their home in Calumet for 29 years before moving to the beach in Big Traverse. In addition to being a tireless wife, homemaker and mother, Sandy worked at various nursing jobs and retired in 2013 after 18 years at Aspirus Keweenaw Home Nursing. She was a dedicated Reach to Recovery volunteer providing support to numerous breast cancer patients.
Sandy enjoyed walking, cross country skiing, and many other outdoor activities. She was an avid reader and puzzle builder. Her 13 grandchildren were the focus of her loving attention and she often referred to them as the “light of my life”. Sandy and Dennis also enjoyed a few years of vacationing in Gulf Shores, Alabama with many of their friends.
She was a member of the First Apostolic Lutheran Church in Calumet.
She was preceded in death by her father Eli and brother Gerald Hyrkas.
She is survived by: her husband Dennis of Big Traverse
Daughters:
Becky (Rob) Swykert of Laurium, Rachel(Val) Augustine of Calumet, Susie (Roger) Pennala of Calumet
Katie (Robby) Rathburg of Lapeer, MI, Norah (Aaron) Cohn of Fond Du Lac, WI
Sons: Dan of Anchorage, AK, Mike (Emily) of Laurium, Phil and Eric of Big Traverse
Grandchildren: Jenna, Tom, Jackson Swykert
Wyatt, Sadie, Tori Augustine
Sela, Seth, Clayton Pennala
Amelia Rathburg
Elliot Cohn
Fiona and Zoey Lasanen
Mother Hilda Hyrkas of Houghton County Medical Care Facility
Brother Raymond Hyrkas of Big Traverse
Sisters: Judy (Gary) Mattson of Boston Location, Margie Haataja of Menagha, MN
Linda (Gordie) Johnson of Crystal, MN, Carol (Russ) Berg of Laurium
Sister-in-Law Cindy Hyrkas of Laurium
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday July 1, 2015 at 11:00 AM in the First Apostolic Lutheran Church in Calumet with Pastor David Taivalkoski to officiate.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday June 30, 2015 from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at the First Apostolic Lutheran Church in Calumet and one hour prior to the funeral on Wednesday.
Burial will be in the Lake View Cemetery in Calumet.
The Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home in Calumet is assisting the family with the arrangements and online condolences can be left for the family at www.ericksoncrowleypeterson.com
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Sandra Lasanen (Hyrkas), please visit our
Heartfelt Sympathies Store.
