Gertrude Lantto

Born November 25, 1925, in Marquette, a daughter of Treffle and Laura (Gutzman) LaJeunesse, Gertrude was a lifelong resident. She graduated from Graveraet High School, Class of 1944, and like so many other young women of her time, began her working career at Michigan Bell Telephone as a switchboard operator. On November 24, 1949, Gertrude was united in marriage to Charles Lantto at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Green Garden, and together the couple established their home and began raising a family. Her subsequent employments included continuing as a switchboard operator at St. Luke’s Hospital and later working as a bookkeeper for Marquette Surgical Associates, from where she retired.

In her leisure moments, she loved nothing better than spending time with family, especially the grandchildren, spending time at the family cabin on Farmers Lake, going for coffee in the country at her mother’s home, gardening, shoveling snow, and making trips with Charlie to spend time with family in Arizona in the winter. Gertrude was a woman of strong faith and a very active member of Calvary Lutheran Church.

Survivors include her four children, Robert (Deb Williams) Lantto of Marquette; Kristine (Bruce) Lowden of Tucson, AZ, Mark Lantto of Marquette, and James (Victoria) Lantto of Marana, AZ; her ten grandchildren, Carri Lantto of Clawson, MI, Scott Lantto of Wasilla, AK, Lanni (Dustin) Lantto of Marquette, Sara Lowden of Flagstaff, AZ, Samantha (Chris) Brees of Tucson, AZ, Brain Lantto of Marquette, Amy (Asif) Ghias Khan of Navato, CA, Stephanie (Mark) George of Tucson, AZ, Kevin (Kate) Lantto of Tucson, AZ and Katherine Lantto of Flagstaff, AZ; 15 great-grandchildren; and her special niece, Cheryl Houle.

In addition to her parents, Gertrude was preceded in death by her husband of over 60 years, Charles Lantto, in 2010; and her siblings.

The family will receive relatives and friends at Calvary Lutheran Church on Friday, August 30, beginning at 10:00 am until the time of service at 12:00 noon. Pastor Paul Agenten will officiate. A reception will follow in the church fellowship hall. Interment will be made in the Park Cemetery.

In addition, Gertrude’s family would like to thank the staff of Eastwood Nursing Center for the excellent and loving care they provided for her since March of 2020.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Calvary Lutheran Church, 450 W. Ohio Street, Marquette, MI 49855.

Canale-Tonella Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at canalefuneral.com.