Virginia Marie LaFleur

RUSHFORDVirginia Marie LaFleur, 92 of Rushford, died Wednesday, June 18, 2014 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Home.Marie Elvina Virginia Fosness LaFleur was born October 30, 1921 in Rugby, North Dakota to Ole and Marie (Roksvaag) Fosness. In a family of 11 children, she was the second oldest. She grew up on a farm near Barton, North Dakota and attended rural school near Barton through eighth grade.Virginia then went to work helping neighboring families with laundry, cooking, cleaning, and watching children. When Virginia was 21 years old and the United States was engaged in World War II, Virginia moved to Minneapolis to find work. She found work as a housekeeper/nanny. Virginia met Elmer LaFleur at the Stockholm Cafe in Minneapolis when she and a girlfriend had gone for food and dancing. She and Elmer were married on January 17, 1947 at the Rushford Lutheran Church. Elmer was in the U.S. Army and had to finish his tour of duty in Washington State. While he was away, Virginia went home to Barton to help her mother. After Elmer was discharged, the couple moved to Rushford and lived with Elmer's parents until moving into a home in South Rushford. They lived there until they bought a farm northeast of Rushford. On the farm, Virginia and Elmer raised some livestock, had a greenhouse, and raised and sold vegetables and flowers of every kind. In 1970, Virginia and Elmer built a house in Rushford. Virginia enjoyed cooking, baking, and sewing. She belonged to the Rushford Lutheran Church and WELCA. At WELCA, her passion was quilting. She loved making quilts at the church and for herself. Virginia was expert at mending and patching all types of items and did a lot for her family and for many others who brought items to her. Elmer passed away on December 6, 2001. Virginia continued to live in the home they built until her death.Virginia is survived by 6 children, Anita (Leonard) Blazejewski of Newfolden, MN, Maynard (Rhonda) LaFleur of Rushford, Diane (Craig) Vogen of Rushford, Allen (Elizabeth) LaFleur of Rushford, Eileen (Louie) Peterson of Caledonia, and Curtis (Brenda) LaFleur of Harmony; 2 brothers, Norman Fosness of Fargo, ND and Einer Fosness of Hovert, Washington; 3 sisters, Dorothy Gronvold of Butte, MT, Elsie Arends of Butte, MT, and Mae Metcalfe of Dunseith, ND; 13 grandchildren; 6 step-grandchildren; and 29 great-grandchildren. Virginia was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer; parents Ole and Marie (Roksvaag) Fosness; 2 sisters, Gladys Isaacson and Lilly Olson; 3 brothers, Harold, Peter, and Ole Jr.; infant grandson, David Scott LaFleur; step-granddaughter, Brittany Bradford; son-in-law, Michael Barry; and several brothers-in-law and cousins. A gathering of family and friends will be held from 4-8pm on Monday, June 23, 2014 at Hoff Funeral & Cremation Service in Rushford. Funeral service will be 2pm on Tuesday, June 24 at Rushford Lutheran Church with visitation one hour prior. Reverend Roger Michaelson will be officiating. Burial will follow at Rushford Lutheran Cemetery.Please share a memory of Virginia with her family and view her video tribute at www.hofffuneral.com.
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/502544