Jacob "Jake" N. Laakkonen, 75 of Orr passed away on Saturday, July 15, 2017, at his residence.

He was born on September 22, 1941 in Virginia, MN, the son of Jacob and Anna Esther (Arola) Laakkonen.  Jake grew up in the Orr area, attended the Orr High School where he played football and graduated with the class of 1959.  After high school he furthered his education attending Duluth Area Vo-tech for carpentry and later  earned his degree in drafting.   He was employed with TKDA in St. Paul for a time.  Most of his working career was as a carpenter on the Range for several area contractors, a time in the 1980's as an independent contractor, and for the past ten plus years with Lenci Construction of Virginia.  Jake married Kathleen Thompson on November 1, 1999 at their residence in Orr.  He and Kathleen were members of Calvary Lutheran Church in Orr, where he served on the foundation committee, did volunteer church cleaning, maintenance, and graciously filled in some kitchen duties.   They enjoyed traveling and spending time in the Ashland, Wisconsin area, (Kathleen's home area).  Jake was an avid deer hunter, he followed his father with a "pop-gun" at the age of 6, and bagged  his first deer at the age of 12.  He  enjoyed fishing, including fly trout fishing and was a talented wood carver.  Jake had many good carpenter friends and church family who helped  complete his dream of finishing his house during his final illness.  He will be dearly missed by family and all those who  had the chance to know him.

He is survived by his wife Kathleen; 2 daughters, Jody (Toby Vaughn) Thorpe of Lauderdale, MN and Kristen (Robert) Zbikowski of Balkan 2 step-sons: Dr. Brian (Heather) Thompson of Balkan and Craig (Taryn Burnett) Thompson of Buhl; 1 sister, Joan (Larry) Mueller of Prior Lake, MN ; 8 grandchildren Cassidy, Charlie, Ben, Abby and Emeri Thompson, Hunter Burnett, Benjamin Zbidkowski and Stephen Thorpe, along with  nieces, nephews, extended family and many friends.

Due to a strong allergy by a family member, no flowers, please.

SERVICES: Memorial services  will be held at 1:00 pm, Tuesday, July 25 ^th ,  from Calvary Lutheran Church in Orr.  A gathering of family and friends will be for one hour prior to the service at the church.    Pastor Joey "pj" Bailey will be the officiant. The soloist will be Judy Laakkonen.  A reception in Jake's honor will follow the service in the church social hall.   Private family interment will be in the Leiding Cemetery of Orr.   Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook. To sign the online guest book or to leave a condolence for the family go to: www.mlakerfuneralhome.com