Lucille G. Lagesse

Lucille G. LaGesse, 81, lifelong Superior resident, died Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth.

She was born to Jacob and Theresa Gross on March 11, 1928 in Superior, WI.

She graduated with honors from Cathedral High School in 1946 and attended UW-Superior.

Lucille married Robert C. LaGesse on September 26, 1949 and recently celebrated sixty years of marriage.

She retired from UW-Superior after serving as a program assistant in the Financial Aids Office. She had worked previously in the business and advertising offices of the former Roth’s Department Store and also for the Holy Family Hospital/St. Mary’s Unit.

She was always involved community-wise and her memberships included: a member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Court 1190 since 1956, having served as a past Grand Regent, Vice Regent and Financial Secretary of that organization; Past President, Vice President, and Secretary of the Superior Chapter 2089 of the AARP; Past Co-president, Vice President and Secretary of the Women’s Club of Superior; Past Co-president with her husband of the former Twin Ports Square Dance Club; Secretary of the 4th of July Planning Committee for ten years and was a volunteer at the Superior Senior Center, along with her membership. She was also an office volunteer with the Retired Senior Volunteer Program and served as an election official for the City of Superior.

Lucille was a lifelong member of the Cathedral of Christ the King Catholic Church parish and had served as a Minister of the Eucharist for many years. She also served on the parish council for five years.

Among the things she most enjoyed were music, reading almost anything, square and round dancing and crossword puzzles, but most of all her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jacob and Theresa Gross, her brothers George, Frederick, Harry and Raymond Gross and an infant sister Alice Marie.

Lucille is survived by her husband of sixty years, and her children, sons, Robert L. (Dana) of Lakeside, Charles (Lori) of Superior, and Thomas (Susan) of Hopkins, MN and daughters, Jeanne (John) Shallow of Cape Cod, FL and Leslie (Jay) Schmitt of Cottage Grove, MN; nine grandchildren, Lucas, Loren, Eric and Levi LaGesse, Ryan Farnham, Jacqueline LaGesse, Kristin and Reid Shallow and Jessica Johnson; three great-granddaughters, Alexandria and Brittany Farnham and Jillian.

At my funeral, I request my favorite hymn: “How Great Thou Art” Amen!

Visitation will begin at 5:00 PM, Friday, November 6, 2009 in Cathedral of Christ the King Catholic Church where a 6:30 PM CDA Rosary is scheduled. Visitation will resume at 10:00 AM on Saturday, November 7, 2009 in Cathedral of Christ the King Catholic Church and continue until the 11:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial with Rev. Fr. Daniel Dahlberg as celebrant.

Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Superior.
Lucille’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren will be recognized as pallbearers and members of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Court 1190 will be recognized as honorary pallbearers.

Should friends desire, memorials may be made to Cathedral School.

The Downs-LeSage Funeral Home, 1304 Hammond Avenue, Superior is assisting the family with arrangements.

To leave an online condolence or to sign the guestbook, please visit our website at
www.downs-lesage.com