January 16, 1955 –  May 30, 2017  GORDONVILLE – Memorial Services for Dana Milton Laitinen, 62, will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 5, 2017 at Meador Funeral Home Chapel in Whitesboro with Rev. Greg Gerendas officiating. Dana passed away on Tuesday, May 30, 2017 at Texoma Medical Center in Denison.
He was born on January 16, 1955 in Ishpeming, Michigan to Reino Laitinen and Ellen Luokkala Laitinen. Dana served in the U.S. Navy. He married Sandra Surrency on April 27, 1974 in Negaunee, Michigan. He was a mechanic by profession for Grayson County and the Alan Ritchey Company. Dana never met a stranger. He dearly loved his family and greatly enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s sporting events and activities.
Survivors include his wife, Sandra Laitinen of Gordonville; three children, Dana Laitinen, Jr. and wife, Shannon of Pottsboro, Carissa Kniss and husband, Justin of Argyle and Erik Laitinen of Gordonville; five grandchildren, Victoria Petty, Hayley Laitinen, Magnus Laitinen, Gavin Kniss and Caleb Kniss; a sister, Diane Laitinen; and a brother, Reino Laitinen, Jr.; several nieces and nephews; and his beloved dog, Noodles.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters, Sara Wilt and Sandy Laitinen.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, 6465 Refuge Rd., Sherman, TX 75092 www.fws.gov/refuge/Hagerman/