Worcester - Louise (Lindgren) Luopa, 77, died unexpectedly on Saturday, December 18, 2010, surrounded by her loving family at UMass Memorial Medical Center, University Campus. She leaves behind to mourn her passing, her husband of 57 years, Rauni; a son, Rev. Jon M. Luopa and wife, Annie, of Seattle, WA; two daughters, Heidi C. Luopa of Worcester and Wendy L. MacLeod and husband Shawn of Rutland; three adored granddaughters, Laila and Julika Luopa and Kaitlyn MacLeod. The greatest joy of her life was time spent with her granddaughters and family. She also leaves her sister, Christine H. Church of Shrewsbury; a nephew, Jonathan; a niece, Karen; and their families.
She was born in Worcester, daughter of Lennart S. and Helen (Wray) Lindgren. Louise was graduated from Commerce High School (Valedictorian) and also from Becker Junior College. She married the love of her life, Rauni J. Luopa, in 1953. Together, they raised their three children in Worcester. After high school she started her professional career at the South Works Credit Union, where over the next 35+ years she advanced toward becoming President/CEO. At the time of her retirement, SWCU had become part of the Webster First Federal CU system. She also served as president of Credit Women International and as a director of the Central Credit Union Fund.
When her children were young, Louise was active in local parent-teacher organizations and cub and girl scout troops. In 2003, she celebrated her 50th wedding anniversary at the Scandinavian Athletic Club in Shrewsbury, the place where she and her husband met while dancing 51 years earlier. At the time of her death, she and her husband were members of the SAC. For years, she and her family enjoyed summers in Wells, Maine. Louise was a devoted member of Emanuel Lutheran Church in Worcester where her family had been affiliated for more than a century. She served in many church leadership positions with the Church Council, the Lutheran Church Women, and as financial secretary for more than 30 years. Her natural leadership abilities were generously shared with every organization she joined, beginning with the Order of the Eastern Star as a very young woman.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Louise's family on Weds., Dec. 22, between 5 and 8 p.m. at Nordgren Memorial Chapel, 300 Lincoln Street. Her funeral will be on Thurs., Dec. 23, at 10:00 a.m. at Emanuel Lutheran Church. Burial will follow at All Faiths Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to Emanuel Lutheran Church, 200 Greenwood St., Worcester, MA 01607.
Louise will be missed by many people for "her great heart was a home for all."