Robert C. Lagesse

Robert C. LaGesse, 96, lifelong resident of Superior, WI died peacefully, Monday, January 2, 2023, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth, MN with loving family by his side. He was born in Superior on July 8, 1926, the son of Leo and Edna (Noble) LaGesse. He graduated from Superior Cathedral High School and attended UW-Superior and the UW- Wisconsin.

He served his country honorably as a mechanic in the United States Army Air Corps from January 1945 until January 1947, having been stationed at Orly Field, France.

He was united in marriage to Lucille Gross on September 26, 1949, and they celebrated sixty years of marriage before her passing in 2009.

Bob was a longtime active member of Cathedral of Christ the King Catholic Church where he served as a communion minister. He was a member of the first group of lay ministers who were installed to serve in that capacity.

Bob worked for the Great Northern/Burlington Northern Railroad for over forty-four years before retiring. He was a life member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 499; past co-president with his wife of the former Twin Ports Square Dance Club; the Lake Superior Railroad Museum where he worked every Wednesday as a volunteer repairing old railroad cars. His family was always proud that Bob worked for several years with the restoration of the Richard I. Bong P-38 memorial plane.

Bob is survived by his sons, Robert L. (Dana) LaGesse of Lakeside, Charles (Lori) LaGesse of Superior, and Thomas (Susan) LaGesse of Hopkins, MN; daughters, Jeanne (John) Shallow of Cape Coral, FL, and Leslie (Jay) Schmitt of Lakewood Ranch, FL; nine grandchildren, Ryan (Jenae) Farnham, Reid Shallow, Kristin (Luke) Kuettel, Jessica (Andy) Johnson, Lucas (Nicole) LaGesse, Loren (Stephanie) LaGesse, Jacqueline LaGesse, Eric LaGesse, Levi LaGesse; eight great-grandchildren, Alexandria Farnham, Brittany Farnham, Solie Kuettel, Kai Kuettel, Rio Kuettel, Jillian LaGesse, Flynn LaGesse, Jonathan LaGesse; brother, Gerald (Janice) LaGesse of Buda, TX, and sister, Catherine Skamarycz of Lake Nebagamon, WI.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Lucille; infant brother, Leo; brother, John (Mary), and sister, Joann (Robert).

Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM, Monday, January 9, 2023, at Cathedral of Christ the King, 1111 Belknap Street in Superior, and will continue until the 11:00 AM Memorial Mass of Christian Burial with Rev. Fr. Andrew Ricci as celebrant.

Military Honors will be accorded by the Richard I. Bong American Legion Post #435 Honor Guard.

The Downs-LeSage Funeral Home, 1304 Hammond Avenue, Superior, is assisting the family with arrangements. To leave a condolence or sign the guestbook, please visit www.downs-lesage.com .