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As received from the Memorial Chapel & Plowe Funeral Homes:
Leona M. (Steve) Luoto, 68, a resident of South Entry, Chassell, passed away Saturday October 31, 2020, at home following a lengthy illness.
She was born on May 23, 1952, in Grosse Pointe, MI, a daughter of the late Peter and Laila (Rautio) Lasanen. Leona was raised in Gulfport, MS and was a graduate of East Gulfport High School. She then attended Northern Michigan University where she received a bachelor’s degree in Social Work. Leona worked as a social worker in Iron Mountain for a short time. She then moved to Hattiesburg, MS to attended University of Southern Mississippi to receive her master’s degree in social work.
Leona had worked as a social worker in MIssissppi until 1995, when she moved to make her home in Chassell. She started working for Finlandia University where she retired from as the assistant director of the Upward Bound program.
On March 29, 2002, she was united in marriage to Steve Luoto. The couple has resided in South Entry and Painesdale and since 2019 south entry.
Leona was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Houghton and V.F.W. Post #6507 Auxiliary of Chassell, she enjoyed being in the outdoors, working in her garden and gathering around a campfire.
Preceding her in death were her parents.
Surviving are:
Her husband: Steve Luoto of South Entry
Her daughters: Natalie Juarez of Orlando, FL
Jacqueline (Allan) Backlidge of Gulfport, MS
Her grandchildren: Keaton, Ryder and Benjamin
Her brother: John Lasanen of Chassell
Numerous cousins
A memorial service will be held at 11 am, Saturday, June 12, 2021, at the Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in Chassell with Rev. Bucky Beach to officiate. Visitation will held from 10 am until the time of services at the funeral home.
To view Leona’s obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit www.memorialchapel.net.
The Memorial Chapel & Plowe Funeral Homes of Chassell are assisting the family with the arrangements.
