Donna Lanoue

Donna Lanoue was born on November 19, 1932 in Minneapolis, MN, the daughter of Nels and Irene (Dellar) Ausen. She attended grade school and then graduated from Marshall High School in 1951. Donna married Leroy Lanoue on April 12, 1951 in the Catholic Church of Green Valley, MN. Together they had six children Michael, Patricia, Timothy, Terry, Todd, and Luann. They raised their family in Fulda, MN for twelve years before moving to Anoka, MN where they purchased the Peterson Brothers Sanitation Service in Anoka, MN. Donna was the bookkeeper for the company for 25 years. They purchased the Pope County Sanitation in 1988 and later moved to Alexandria in 1995 to live at their summer home on Lake Carlos. Donna loved the outdoors and doing yard work always keeping her lawn free of leaves. She enjoyed taking pontoon rides on ?Chain of Lakes? and an occasional ride on her Sea Doo. Donna liked to do puzzles, bake Special K bars and cookies, and take walks with her friends. She collected many things including Beanie Babies, spoons, and precious moment figurines. Donna and Leroy wintered in Mesa, AZ for the last 25 years. They made many friends and special memories over the years in Mesa. They also enjoyed the lake life on Lake Carlos since 1976, when they purchased the Surprise Resort. They continued to run the resort for a number of years and now their resort is commonly called the ?Lanoue Compound?. Donna loved spending time with her children grandchildren and great grandchildren at her home. She was a great cook and loved the large family gatherings during the summer. She will be missed by those who knew and loved her. Donna Mae Jean Lanoue died on Friday, February 29, 2008 at the Scottsdale Healthcare Center in Scottsdale, MN at the age of 75 years old. She is survived by her husband Leroy Lanoue of Alexandria, MN; sons Timothy (Norma) Lanoue of Nelson, MN; Terry (Jacqueline) Lanoue of Farwell, MN; Todd (Kristi) Lanoue of Glenwood, MN; daughters Patricia Paciorek (Steve Kohrt) of Fridley, MN; Luann (Eugene) Gibson of Nelson, MN; 14 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; brothers Chuck Ausen of Marshall, MN; Roger (Joyce) Ausen of Rockford, MN; sisters-in-law Audrey Ausen of Marshall, MN; Rada (Lanoue) Mitchell of Marshall, MN; many nieces; nephews; and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents; son Michael Lanoue; grandson Jason Lanoue; brothers Layton, Ray, and Robert (Bud). A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Friday, March 7, 2008 at the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Marshall, MN with Father Paul Wolfe officiating. Interment was in the Calvary Cemetery in Marshall, MN. Casket Bearers were Josh Lanoue, Tommy Paciorek, Zachary Paciorek, Michael Paciorek, Matthew Lanoue, and Larry Lanoue. Honorary Casket Bearers were Sommer Paciorek, Jenny Lanoue, Jacklyn Gibson, Janelle Lanoue, Jessica Lanoue, Jamie Lanoue, Jonathan Lanoue, Scott Koep and Kelly Koep. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria.