Thomas W. Lantinen

He was born at home Jan. 3, 1926, in Homestead, Wis., to the late Matt and Hilda Lantinen.

Tom went to Roach School his first eight grades. He graduated from Florence High School and attended NYA Antigo Radio, where he learned to solder. He also worked at the veneer mill in Goodman, where he used his father’s lessons on using a crosscut saw.

He enlisted in the Merchant Marines and Coast Guard Reserve. He spent his 18th birthday on the North Atlantic. In 1944 he was honorably discharged to take over his father’s farm. Tom built a large registered Holstein dairy herd, resulting in some prized animals being sold overseas. He was honored as one of Wisconsin’s top crop progressive growers, to which he proclaimed his “five daughters were his top best crop.”

He served on the FHA committee, president of the Florence County Taxpayers Association, as Past Master of Hiram D. Fisher #222 Masonic Lodge, and member of Beja Shrine and Homestead Baptist Church.

He is survived by his children, Vivian (Backchul) Shin of Chicago, Mary (David) Wells of Merrimac, Wis., Sheryl (Tim) DeHart of Appleton, Wis., Donna Jahnke of Abrams, Wis., and Bette (Gary) Wilz of Appleton; his grandchildren, Miiri (Glenn) Kotche, Jaimii (Mark) Moroni, Donn (Nina) Shin, Sherry (Lloyd) Latty, Kirsten (Kevin) Veach, Erika DeHart (Doug Lindow), Jeff (Jessica) Jahnke, Shaun Jahnke (Jennifer Whittemore), Russ (Danette) Wilz, Aaron (Kayshia) Wilz and Elizabeth (Jared) Hart; 21 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Along with his parents, he is predeceased by his beloved wife, Florence, of 74 years; three brothers, Toivo, Gust, and Arnold Lantinen; six sisters, Helen McMahon, Aileen Carlson, Sylvia Prussat, Alma Lund, Lillian Borgman and Alice Strom; and son-in-law Lyle Jahnke.

A Celebration of Life and Masonic service will be held on May 2.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Salvation Army, Shriners Children’s Hospital or the Homestead Baptist Church.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Prairie Home Assisted Living and Heartland Hospice for their loving care.

Condolences may be expressed to the family of Thomas W. Lantinen online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.