Please Help My Family Lay Edward Laukka to Rest

Sunday, February 25, 2024, my Auntie Diana lost the love of her life when her husband Edward Laukka had a massive heart attack and could not be revived. The night before, was Eddy’s surprise 70th birthday celebration and he truly spent it like it was his last day on earth. He was surrounded by his wife, his children and their families, his siblings and their families, and some friends who came out for the festivities. I do not think anyone could have imagined it would be the last time they saw him, but it was. Eddy’s passing was completely unexpected and has come as a shock to everyone who knew him. His family is still completely reeling from this tragic loss.

Eddy was the hardest working man I ever knew, and he had to be that way because his nature was to provide a good life for his family. My Auntie Diana was also one of the hardest working women I have ever known and she really put her whole heart and soul into providing for her family by consistently working double shifts to ensure they would never want for anything. Unfortunately, due to severe health issues Diana was forced to step back from her job to focus on her health. In fact, not so long ago, we almost lost her too. Since then, Eddy had been the sole provider for the family.

My Aunt and Uncle have always been there for their families and have always been the first to step up in situations when help was needed. No matter what the ask was, they were ALWAYS there. My Aunt is now in a position where she needs help and I know she would never ask for it, neither would her children because they have always been the family helpers. My Aunt Diana and her family are very strong and proud people and they would never ask for anything from anybody because they know how hard people work just to provide for their own families so they would NEVER want to be an imposition to anyone else.

So, I am asking for help because my love for them is greater than my pride and I know that many members in our families are not in a position to provide financial assistance. When my Uncle passed away, he did not leave a will, he did not have a nest egg and because he was the sole provider, they lived paycheck to paycheck as he and Diana have always been always so quick to help others even though they may not have been in a position to do so…but they still did.

All I want to ask from our friends, family, and community, is if you can see it in your heart to help me, help my Aunt and my cousins. I am not asking for the world, just enough to help us cover what we need to lay him to rest and say goodbye in the way he deserves.