Dear Rajala and other families,
I am sorry for your loss.  I know her daughter, Renee McCullough.  May her memory be eternal!  God bless her and her family.

Dear Grandma, I miss you and love you. We made Easter eggs together and Christmas tree ornaments. Love Always, your Grandson Christopher

Dear Grandma, I will always miss the good times we had together. From your enthusiasm about baseball to your beautiful art work you were an incredible Grandma. I'll always cherish celebrating our November birthdays together. (I  always blew out 60 fewer candles than you.) The hummingbirds are still coming to the balcony! I love you so much, Your grandson, Zach

My Dear Sweet Mom,
 I have tried and failed countless times to compose A memory for this book...perhaps a symbol of closure that i can't close? yet now i realize the book is not an ending, there are more chapters, for you are alive within me. 
...you are in my eyes when i see pansies, roses, orchids, columbines
...you are in my ears when i hear birds sing and hummingbirds hum
...you are in my nose when i smell lingering fragrances in tiny perfume bottles
...you are on my lips when i taste butter, kiss a baby's cheek
...you are in my heart pumping my life
...you are alive in me and it's just too painful to think otherwise.

i found a birthday letter i wrote that has given me great comfort, in the letter, a poem: 
 "Love that is hoarded molds at last,
 until we know someday,
 the only thing we ever have, is what we give away."
           and i wrote:
 "Mom, you would do anything for anyone, anytime, anywhere! And I want to be just like you!" 
          and another quote:    
"Children can have no better inheritance than believing parents. Religion can become real in the midst of a family as in practically no other way. Many of us have inherited great riches from our parents-the bank account of their personal faith and family prayers."
           and i wrote:
 "None have struck it as rich as Greg, Renee and I! Happy Birthdays forever! All My Love, Lynnette ooooxxxx 1967

...I was twenty years old, your fortieth. a life time of letters and birthday cards expressing our love, saving them, words too precious to toss away. you knew one day i would find them!...thank you, mom, because i found myself again. so many years ago, i wanted to be just like you and still do! you ARE alive within me!

...thank you for keeping not only our letters and photos, but all the photos and letters of those who came before. ...frozen moments of warmth and love-an unpublished precious memoir ...in this book ...in boxes ...that unravel your story, my story, for our children, their children and their children's children.

...thank you for being so brave that we were able to share more special times. your will to live and give never wavered. you were able to walk with Greg in gardens, walk with Paul among our ancestors and hold Anya and Gio's hands as they took their first steps. you were able to make me meatloaf when i couldn't walk, find my glasses and could always find the strength to bend over to pick up a beautiful fall leaf! we were able to help you blow out eighty-six candles!

...at last, i found the courage to write in this memory book, for i realize it's only one of many keepsakes, not the closing chapter.  your love lives on within me and you gave me the strength to carry it forth in my children. i am comforted to know that it will live on forever... even after i join you and hear your voice say, "hi nett, it's mom!" and feel your arms around me once again. 
     ...your first born, your loving daughter, lynnette laurene

Good Morning Merry Sunshine! The way she greeted us every morning we were together. Heavens to Betsy! My Word! What an awesome human being! Grandma. Who else prepares birthday cards to be sent, after her passing? The beautiful hand writing, the art work, the creativity, the love of life, family, friends and nature, she carried and shared with some many others. That's my Grandma. May your spirit be free to soar ever so high over and within us, all the days of our lives.

Laurene was the only grandma I ever knew and I greatly miss her.  I admire her so much and it's hard having her gone.  That said, I have always attributed my creativity and puckishness to Grandma, so when I am impish and ornery, or experimenting and creative, I will think to Grandma and thank her for being my inspiration.

I think one of my most previous memories of grandma are the two times she explicitly invited me in to her creative world.  I was young and she showed me how to cut glass, solder the pieces together and make a little stained glass night light.  The other time, she showed me how her little kiln worked and I melted some glass bits together to make a glass snowflake.  I cherished those pieces and making them with her.

There is this phrase we say when people pass: "Oh, it was her time." but I feel like I cannot say that with grandma.  It was not her time.  There was so much more she wanted to do, so much life in her struggling to get out, see the world.  It was hard to see her body physically weaken and have her spirit be frustrated by the limitations of her body.  I hope that her indomitible soul is now happy, no longer limited by her body.  Free to explore, experiment, and be creative in ways she may not have been able to for years.

I love you Grandma.

Our Dear Mom, Grandma and Great Grandma,

A Mom provides her children with their first nourishment and their first shelter, and then she brings them to life in this world.  Our Mom brought us to life in the world and she continued to nourish and shelter us and our families for a lifetime.  Mom, along with Dad, spread a loving blanket to wherever we were, and we were always covered by their love, kindness, thoughtfulness and generosity.  Mom was a remarkable artist and the beauty of her life is embodied in her many china paintings and glass works, and everything she made with her delicate hands.  Mom's work was never for sale.  She had great joy in fondly giving her works of art to relatives and friends with her love firmly attached.  You could see love in her smile and feel love with her hug.

Somehow I knew Mom couldn't sleep at night until she knew her children were all "all right."  She would always remain awake until the last of us had returned home safe and sound, and then she could finally sleep.  This continued throughout her lifetime and extended to her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  I think Mom always knew when we were safe and sound even when we were far away.  When we traveled home for Christmas a couple of years ago, we encountered a severe storm that shortened the first day and lengthened the second day until the very late hours of darkness.  We arrived home under the stars of a clear, bright night and there was Mom sitting up waiting for us to arrive home safe and sound.  And then she could finally sleep.

When I see and think of Mom I see her holding a rose that is coming into full bloom.  The petals never fall.  Mom will always be the rose of our lives.  We love you, Mom.  Your son, Greg and family Jan, Lisa, Kathy, Dan, Peyton and Suva.

My Dearest Mother, 
As the days march on, I am so at a loss for your voice, for your eyes, and for your hugs. I want to hear you say one more time, I love you and I want to return the words with more love. Being without you is harder than I ever thought it would be. You gave me your last gift of 291 days with you and I am so greedy I want more. I want you to share every new day with us.  I think of all the things we could have done together and then I have to remember how weak you were and what a struggle it was to do the things we did. And I will never forget you, your beauty, smile and your grateful heart. And if I had to do it all over, I wouldn't hesitate a second. 

You were such an accomplished artist and had such a curiosity and love of life. You and dad gave me life and breath and I am so grateful I was by your side when I heard you take your last breath. You had such a beautiful way of making everyone you met feel special. I promised you I would tell you all the things happening now. The humming birds have returned and are again gracing the condo balcony. The tulips have come and gone.  The lilacs were in the forefront of a snowy backdrop of the mountains. The poppies have just bloomed and I want to plant some petunias and lobelia for you. But you, my dear mother, are not here to share it with us.  I hope and pray you are looking down from above to share it with us. So now I must find a way to honor your life with beauty and love for the people you left behind. I am not sure how I will do that, but I will have to try. I will try, even if it means every day telling the people I love that I love them. I miss you so much. I will miss you every day for the rest of my life. Love always and forever, Your youngest daughter, Renee

I met Laurene and Mel in 2001. I saw her almost every Thursday at 1:00 until Mel got sick. Mel came to 98% of the appointments. He always came with a joke. He would patiently wait for Laurene, by walking to the Post Office, Wendy's, or H & R Block. What a loving couple! They taught me no matter how many years you have been together as a couple- you will still have disagreements. They never judged harshly on my life. They knew me very well. They treated me as though I was their granddaughter and my son as their great grandson. In 2006 they came to Thanksgiving dinner at my house. They got to meet my family. Everyone in my family asks about them. They left a lasting memory. 
Laurene would come in with a smile, giving hugs and a kiss on the cheek. I learned about her entire family, vacations, and places they had lived being in the military. Laurene spoke highly of everyone in her family. She was a proud Mother, Grandmother, and Great Grandmother. 
I am so glad that we stopped to see Laurene 2 weeks before she passed. Talk about a day where she was super sharp! I have horrible handwriting. She was reading off the dry erase board-upside down and in my handwriting. I didn't even finish what I was going to write and she knew what I was talking about. She remembered and asked about everyone in my family by name. What a great lady!! 
~Laurene and Mel~ you will be missed more than you know. 
Love you with all our hearts,
Shelly Herberholz and John Jefferson

In 1981, I met Laurene and Mel when I worked for the Department of Athletics at the Air Force Academy. We became close friends and adopted each other like family. Laurene was so loving and kind to everyone she knew. She had a unique way of making each person feel special. She and Mel were a lot of fun as we attended Air Force Hockey and Football games. They both loved life and were especially proud of their children and their families. I will cherish my memories forever.

I will always remember how loving and caring of a Grandmother you were to me.  I am so blessed to have had so many years worth of priceless memories with you.  You will stay in my heart forever.  I love you, Grandma.

It was my pleasure to have befriended and known Mel and Laurene for over twenty years.  From the first meeting, I have always used their style of humor and hospitality to mold my ability to make guest and friends feel at ease in my home.  I am honored to have known them and call them my friends.

Jack Gladman, Silver Cliff, Co.

Our condolences go out to you Lynette, Greg and Renee.  Your Mom was a very sweet lady.  I recall seeing her for the last time a couple of years ago at Lynette's.  With all she was going through, she was still upbeat and positive, interested in what was going on with us and our three children.  Our prayers go out to your whole family.

Laurene, Lovely lady !  I was blessed to have known you and Mel about 20 years plus...  7 living close in C/S. We adopted each other, got to know family members, much laughter, lots of talks and many photos.  Such blessings.  And best to continue a connection with your children.  Thank you for your Love!!!  Love, always..  Cindy and son, Tony

Dear Greg, Lynette, and Renee,
      Our parents so enjoyed their long friendship with yours and Mom and Dad had a great time sharing breakfast with Laurene in the months prior to her moving to Glenwood Springs. We are so sorry for your loss and know these are difficult days so hold tightly to each other and the wonderful memories you all share of your wonderful,talented mother.

                      Dorothy and Norman Hayes
                               Vicky Beisch

Aunt Laurene, thank you for your love and kindness in every way to me and to my family. Your caring for my son Ian when in need will especially be remembered!

We'll always remember Laurene. A bright spirit! She was so vibrant, so full of life, and an artist, too. She brought joy and laughter to everyone around her. And she was a true friend.

Steve, Nancy, and John

Laurene I will always remember your warm loving smile and the way you softly and calmly spoke to me as a child . I always felt appreciated , loved and understand when ever I was around you .I learned so much from watching you interact with people .words like , Love , understanding, compassion , caring , calm, happy , interested, talented , creative,funny , smart ,allowing,
Teacher  come to mind when I think of you .  Thank you for being such an amazing spirit  , women , mother , sister , grandmother, wife , Auntie, friend, and listener . Your guideness and love will forever resonate within me , till I see you again Auntie Laurene , Love you More ! Tammy

What a beautiful, talented mother you had, Renee. How grateful you will be that you were able to spend her last days on earth with her. My heart goes out to you, your family, and all who loved her. Much love, Teresa (Black) Olcott

Greetings to all the relatives and blessings for your loss.

A very special lady, who I was lucky to know for a long time has  left us, but her legacy lives on in her children. She had many gifts, the greatest being the ability to make others feel loved and special. Her legacy will continue as her grandchildren and great -grandchildren learn to appreciate nature, art, the importance of family, and the power of compassion. How lucky her family was to have had her in their lives.

Much love,
Mimi

Our sincere condolences to Lynette, Greg and Renee' on the loss of their dear mother.  We enjoyed the visits here in Wisconsin when Greg brought Uncle Melvin & Aunt Laurene to visit in 2004 after we returned from our adventure to Finland.  With their help of names and addresses we were able to meet many Finnish family members that we may otherwise have never known. That visit here in Wisconsin became a real family reunion with family from northern Minnesota also.  A great time.  Laurene helped make a Finnish treat called piirakat. Her recipe was much better than the one I had. It is a pastry filled with rice pudding and spread with munavoita (egg butter). Very tasty. On another visit Greg and Jan both came with Melvin & Laurene.  We loved keeping in touch through Christmas cards and several more visits through the years. We have hand painted porcelain  mementoes and beaded items made by Laurene, and many memories. We very fondly remember both Melvin and Laurene. 
Don & Judy Soyring

As a friend of Renee's, I enjoyed getting to know Laurene. Such a beautiful, interesting woman. I will miss her smile and laugh. I will remember Laurene often,  especially during Christmas when the town is lit up with the lights that Laurene loved. My warm thoughts and prayers go out to Renee, Greg and Lynnette.

Condolences at the passing of your mother. Your father and mother visited our home for the first time in the 1970s. Since then, at least the Christmas cards we kept in touch. During my second visit, in 2008, the U. S. trip with Perttu we visited the home of Melvin and Laurene in Colorado Springs. We remember that Laurene had a great hospitality, as would be Finnish, such as Melvin. The most cherished gift to me from Laurene, is a shirt of hockey team of U. S. Air Force Cadetschool. We all, Marja-Liisa, Perttu, Panu, Pekka and my mother Ritva, your second cousin, miss Laurene and Melvin. 

Family Paavola

We are very sorry about your sad loss, Renee, Greg and Lynnette. I remember your Mother as a loving and happy person when she visited us in Finland many years ago. My condolences to you, your children and their families.

Over a half century of wonderful memories and a loving friendship! Although our visits were infrequent, we will miss our many phone conversations.  Our deepest sympathy to Lynnette, Greg, Renee and their families.

I was very sorry to read about Laurene's passing. I bowled with her for many years back about 20 years ago. She was a fun person and I still have a beautiful ring that she painted. She was quite an artist.

Also our sons
Toni and his family
Timo
Touko and Niina

What a lady and what a family. I knew the Rajala's through Renee and Greg. Renee was in my class and we were and still are good friends. Her mom Laurene was a lover of nature and showed that love in the skill of china painting and stained glass which adorned her house. I remember seeing her work at their house in Falcon Estates where I also lived.
Laurene's love of family and friends coupled with her warmth and humor made visits to see Renee a real pleasure. Her father was also a USAF officer like my father so we shared that commitment and lifestyle.

My heart sank when Mel died and hit bottom when Laurene passed on from cance
Both of my parents are interned at Fort Logan where we visit often. 

My condolences to the entire Rajala family. 

Dick & Caroline Schaffer
Westminster

We enjoyed Aunt Laurene and Uncle Melvin during their many trips to Minnesota. Laurene was such a sweetheart. She was a very talented woman and brought us many of her handmade gifts. Each year the Christmas is adorned by the very special ornament she made especially for us. We will think of her each year as we place it on the tree. The last trip she made to Minnesota with Greg and Melvin was fantastic. We both knew that it was her last trip, and enjoyed it to the most. She will be deeply missed by all and especially by us.

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Laurene Beck Rajala

29 novembre 1927 – 6 avril 2014

Swan-Law Funeral Directors

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