Helga Maria Amalia (Hanka) Lakso, 94 of Rhinelander and formerly of Gilbert, Minn., passed away Thursday, Feb. 27, 2014, at Friendly Village Nursing and Rehab. She was born May 20, 1919 in Embarrass, Minn., to Gregori and Mary (Stierna) Hanka. Helga is survived by three daughters, Ruth (Bob) Aho of Rhinelander, Donna Johnson of Big Lake, Minn., and Edinburg, Texas, and Jeanne Lakso (Randy Kemper) of Minneapolis, Minn.; eight grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; three great great grandchildren; brother, Melvin (Olga) Hanka of Duluth, Minn.; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Arne Lakso; sisters Tyne Salo and Viola Sallila; brothers Francis, Hugo, and Helmer Hanka; and son-in-law, Orville Johnson. A funeral service for Helga will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 8, 2014, at Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church in Rhinelander with Revs. Kari and Timothy Vadis officiating. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of service Saturday at the church. Burial will take place in the spring in the Gilbert Cemetery in Gilbert, Minn. (Carlson Funeral Home)