NEW IPSWICH, N.H. - Henry (Sonny) W. Laukka, Jr., 79, of New Ipswich, N.H., died March 9, 2010, at the University Medical Center in Tucson, Ariz., after a short illness. He was born on May 30, 1930, in Laurium. He was the son of the late Henry W. Laukka, Sr. and Emma (Niemela) Laukka.
Henry grew up in Michigan and served his country in the U.S. Army. Henry was married to Ruth E.M. Estola on November 6, 1954. After living in Michigan, Henry and Ruth moved to Rindge, N.H., in 1971, and raised their family together until Ruth's death in 2006. Henry later moved to New Ipswich.
He worked as a machinist for a tool and die company in Michigan, for Hoard and Aho Construction, H.W. Aho Construction, and Hutter Construction, where he was the construction superintendent when he retired in 1998.
Henry is survived by a son, Lew Laukka; his wife, Deanna, of Ironwood; five daughters, Cheryl Bertram and her husband Gary of New Ipswich, N.H., Cathy Seppanen and her husband Jonathan of Vienna, S.D., Sue Matson and her husband Ted of Yacolt, Wash., Ruthann Sorensen and her husband Lee of Lincoln, Neb. and Janice Questad and her husband Brian of Brandon, S.D.; one brother, Harold Laukka of Westland, Mich.; 32 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Henry is preceded in death by his wife, an infant son and two brothers.
He was a caring and loving father and grandfather. He enjoyed traveling to be with his family and friends. He was a gifted woodworker and enjoyed intarsia projects. He will be deeply missed by all of his family and many friends.
As a lifetime member of the Apostolic Lutheran Church in Michigan and New Hampshire, he liked to serve God and love his family. Friends are invited to calling hours on Saturday, March 13, 2010, from 7 to 9 p.m., at the Apostolic Lutheran Church, on Goen Road, New Ipswich, N.H. Funeral services will be held at the Apostolic Lutheran Church on Goen Road, New Ipswich, N.H. on Sunday, March 14, 2010, at 2 p.m. Interment will be at Hillside Cemetery in Rindge, N.H. in the spring.
The arrangements are in the care of the Nelson-Michaud Funeral Home, 32 Maple St., Wilton, N.H. To view an online obituary or leave a condolence, please visit the Nelson-Michaud Funeral Home Web site at nelsonmichaudfuneralhome.com.