Timothy "Tim" C. Laine

Timothy “Tim” Charles Laine was called home to be with his Savior after passing away at his home in Bovey, Minnesota on October 13th, 2026.

Born April 10th, 1964 in Hibbing, Minnesota to Ronald Laine and Frances (Farr) Laine, he graduated from Hibbing High School in 1982. He went on to attend UMD for a semester before transferring to Hibbing Community College. He ended up going into management with McDonald’s, working first at the Hibbing location and then transferring to the Grand Rapids location as it was being built. It was there, during McDonald’s orientation, that he met the love of his life, Julie (Virkus) Laine. After dating for 3 years, the 2 were joined in marriage June 11th, 1988 in Grand Rapids.

They welcomed their first daughter, Cierra, in November 1989. The following year, Tim and Julie were offered and accepted positions as the store manager and breakfast manager at McDonald’s in Perry, Iowa. In June of 1992, they had their second daughter, Tia. After a brief stint with Burger King, Tim then began working for Metz Baking Company delivering bread in March 1997. After visiting family a few weeks later and speaking with another family member who worked for the same company, he and his family felt called to move back to Minnesota, eventually settling in Bovey. In May 1998, Tim and Julie’s son, Jordan, was born. In 2002, he left Metz and began working for Pan-O-Gold Baking Company where he remained working until his passing.

Growing up, Tim played Mites, Squirts, Peewees, Bantams, and Midgets hockey for Hibbing. He enjoyed posting the newspaper clippings that were saved by his grandmother, with one major highlight being the MAHA 1982 State Juvenile Hockey Champions. Tim went on to share his love of sports with his children, but especially his love of hockey, attending Wild games with various family members annually since 2013.

Tim took great pride in his children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews and loved sharing their accomplishments with others, whether in person or through his Facebook posts and messages. He truly cherished his immediate and extended family and enjoyed sharing his many interests with them including games, music, movies, camping, and family trips. He had a love for Hibbing and the Iron Range and his Finnish heritage, often delving into his family genealogy. He was excited when we found and was able to connect online with family who lives in Finland last year.

Tim had a wonderful sense of humor and the BEST laugh, often laughing so hard at his own jokes he could hardly speak, leaving us wondering what in the world was SO funny! He always had to stop and chat whenever he came across anyone he knew when he was out and about, and he enjoyed getting to stay in touch with childhood friends and acquaintances through Facebook.

Above all, Tim loved God and had the assurance of salvation through his faith in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. He instilled the importance of being in relationship with God in his children, teaching them to rely on Him for any and every need, and to trust in His goodness. For almost 30 years, he attended West Cohasset Chapel every Sunday he could to worship alongside his beloved church family.

Tim is survived by his wife, Julie; daughters, Cierra (Brandon) Scharnott and Tia (Charlton) Stanley; son, Jordan (Angela) Laine; grandchildren, JoAnna, Brock, Alba, and Aila; brothers, Bill (Deanne) Laine and John (Lynnette) Laine; sister, Rosemarie (Todd) Paulson; cousins, Kathy and Jeff, father and mother-in-law, Lawrence and Naomi Virkus; and numerous sisters and brothers-in-law, nieces, and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Ronald and Frances; grandchild, Alex; Auntie Susie, Auntie Mickey, and Uncle Larry; and cousin, Judy.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 PM Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at Rowe Funeral Home, Grand Rapids. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at Grand Rapids Evangelical Free Church, 34384 County Road 63, Grand Rapids, MN with Pastor Joe Franzone leading the service. Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until the beginning of the service at the church.

Memorials are preferred to: MN Adult & Teen Challenge, Duluth Campus, Ronald McDonald House, or your favorite local youth sports organization. 

Tim's funeral service will be livestreamed.  The link is below: 

https://www.youtube.com/@grandrapidsevangelicalfree6072/streams