Linnaeus Woodrow Laulainen

Linnaeus Woodrow Laulainen, 90, of Longview reached eternal glory Dec. 10, 2023, at St. John Medical Center. The family is grateful to the Emergency Department staff on Sunday, for the opportunity to say goodbye.

He was born April 23, 1933, in Kelso to Frans and Ellen (Hermans) Laulainen. Linny attended local schools and received an associate’s degree in agriculture from Pullman College in the early 1950s. He was employed by Weyerhaeuser working on boom sorting logs, in the planer, and retired from the paper lab in 1996.

Linny was an active member of the Longview Laestadian Lutheran Church where he served as treasurer for many years. He particularly enjoyed church camp where he taught numerous youngsters how to carve a whistle from a branch. He also enjoyed gardening and serving as a volunteer firefighter/first responder. Linny was generous, kind, loving, and gave the best bear hugs.

He married Eila Ojalehto June 17, 1951, in Longview. She preceded him in death in 2017. Also preceding him in death were his parents; a daughter, Marlene Stewart in 2001; a granddaughter; and four great-grandchildren.

Linny is survived by 11 children and their spouses, Loren (Ruth) Laulainen, Yvonne Laulainen, Jane (Mark) Hendrickson and Mathew (Joanie) Laulainen, all of Longview, Judith (Phillip) Grangroth of Cathlamet,  Gordon (Linda) Laulainen of Monroe, WA, Pauline (Steven) Loukusa of Bothell, WA, Raymond (Brenda) Laulainen of Palmer, Alaska, Rdath (Daniel) Grangroth of Silt, Colo., Margaret (Eric) Jurmu of Buffalo, MN, and Sarah (Phillip) Jurmu of Monticello, MN.; his former son-in-law, David (Becky) Stewart of Plymouth, Minn.; 108 grandchildren; 394 great-grandchildren; and 5 great-great-grandchildren.

A memorial service is planned for 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14 at the Longview Laestadian Lutheran Church. The funeral will be held on Friday, Dec. 15 at 11 am, also at the church. Pastor Joe Ojalehto will officiate.  Viewings will be held from 6 p.m. to service time Thursday as well as 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Friday. A graveside committal service will follow at Mt. Solo Pioneer Cemetery where Linny will be laid to rest next to his beloved wife, Eila. Pallbearers include Loren, Gordon, Raymond, and Mathew Laulainen, Daniel Grangroth, and Mark Hendrickson. A luncheon will follow at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Longview Laestadian Lutheran Church, 261 Wohl Road, Longview, WA 98632.