Carol M. Bull Laitinen, BHS 1950

Carol M. Bull Laitinen, BHS 1950

Carol M. Laitinen, 77, of La Crosse passed away Saturday, June 12, 2010, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center. Carol was born March 17, 1933, in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada to Clair and Grace Bull, American and Canadian citizens, respectively.

Carol’s father served as a Canadian Air Force officer in WWII. During Carol’s first 13 years, the family moved frequently, from Thunder Bay to Montreal to Winnipeg and then to Vancouver, when the war ended. Carol’s family then moved to Los Angeles, Calif., in 1946. Carol graduated from Burbank High School in 1950, and she ultimately joined Atomics International in 1960, the same day as her future husband, Mal Laitinen. While waiting for six months to obtain security clearance from the Atomic Energy Commission, Mal and Carol started dating, and in 1962, they married.

Through Carol’s loving guidance and unselfish desire to have her husband fulfill a lifelong passion, the couple moved to Houghton, Michigan in 1963, where Mal became a teacher at Michigan Technological University. Carol and Mal lived in Houghton for seven years by Lake Superior, the Great Lake which reminded Carol of her childhood days in Thunder Bay. In 1970, they moved to La Crosse, Wis., where Mal was hired and continues to serve as a teacher at the Trane Company.

Carol always loved animals, and she passed that love on to her sons, Steve and Jim, and to her husband. She lovingly cared for all dogs and cats that crossed her path, whether to feed them, find them a home, or to make them a part of her family.

Carol’s passion from her early years on was classical music, with Mozart being one of her favorites. In the late 1950’s, she performed as an operatic soprano in Los Angeles. Carol’s avorite opera singer was Maria Callas. Carol never lost her deep appreciation for classical music, and during the last 35 years of her life, she enthusiastically played classical guitar. Carol’s sons gained tremendously from her love of music and the arts.

Carol was an adult convert to the Catholic Church. Through her calm and resilient faith, her husband also converted to Catholicism, and the couple ultimately renewed their marriage vows in the Catholic Church. Carol’s strong belief in Christ served her unwaveringly, through both personal triumph and tragedy over the years. Although Carol struggled with certain issues in the Church, she remained true and faithful to Christ, and devoutly used the Rosary in her prayers.

Carol lived life completely, without reservation. She lived to serve and provide joy to others, her husband, her sons, her friends, a person in need, and the many animals she saved and cared for. Carol will be sorely missed.

Carol is survived by her loving husband, Maldon; two sons, Stephen Laitinen of Minneapolis, and James (Kirsten) Laitinen of St. Paul; a grandson, Bodhi; sister-in-law, Ronnelle Laitinen; and a niece, Rebecca (Richard) Dunn.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister-in-law, Dorla Bernu; two brothers-in-law, Manley Laitinen and Mervel Bernu; and a son, Christopher.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 19, at Dickinson Family Funeral Home and Crematory, 1425 Jackson St., La Crosse. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Saturday from 1 p.m. until time of service.