Earl J. Lanoue

Earl J. Lanoue, 86, dieD October 5 at Prairie Home Hospice House in Marshall, MN, the community where he made his home for nearly all of his adult life. He fought a long 20 year plus battle with congestive heart failure/heart disease. He was born July 9, 1924, to Elric and Ethel Lanoue on the family farm in rural Marshall, MN. He attended Marshall High School for two years and graduated from Cottonwood High School. He entered military service in 1951, and the experience resulted in a long-term involvement wiTh and membership at the Marshall Legion Club, where he participated in leadership and volunteer activities for his community and on behalf of military veterans. He enjoyed working with programs that benefited Marshall youth, including Legion-sponsored baseball tournaments, since at one point he too was an umpire for ball games. He also regularly participated in military honor guards and marched with military units in community parades and observances. Memorial Day regularly found Earl participating in ceremonies to honor those, particularly veterans, who had gone on before. He married Rose Marie Schmoll July 23, 1949, in Bird Island, MN, and to their union five children were born. Together Earl and Rose farmed north of Marshall until moving into town in 1961. Much of his work life after that involved sales. He worked for the railroad, Roy Christian’s Auto Sales, Vita Sun, a division of Schwan’s Sales Enterprises, Famous Brands Liquor, Lockwood Motors, and in independent auto sales until his retirement in 1989. While retired, Earl volunteered for the Weiner Memorial Hospital Auxilary, and drove for Western Community Action. He reveled in the success of his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He maintained close relationships with family and friends. He loved dogs, his own and those of his kids and grandkids. Driving was a favorite activity, and he’d transport someone to Minneapolis at the drop of a hat. He enjoyed a good meal and a competitive game of cards or dice around the dining room table, as well as tinkering on cars and shooting pool. He was generous with his time and money and faithful to his church. Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Rose; five children, Colleen (Don) Soenen of Plymouth, MI, JoEllen (Ken) Amundson of Loveland, CO, Jolleen (Mike) Domina of Omaha, NE, Earl (Margie) Lanoue of Tampa, FL, and Julieann Lanoue of Minneapolis; 10 grandchildren, Michael Soenen of Hermosa Beach, CA, Shannon (Jerry) Salame of Canton, MI, Shelly (Michael) Sprague of Dove Canyon, CA, Sherry (Jamie) Miller of Canton, MI, Josh (Kelli) Amundson and Kristen Amundson, both of Loveland, CO., Jason (Anna) Domina of Omaha, NE., Justin (Gina) Domina of Omaha, NE., Brian Lanoue and Sean Lanoue of Tampa FL ; nine great-grandchildren; one sister, Kate (Jim) LaVoy of Marshall; one brother, Harold Lanoue of Marshall; numerous nieces, nephews, sister- and brother-in-laws, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Irene Paradis and Beatrice Lanoue; brothers Ed and Jack Lanoue. Rehkamp Funeral Home of Marshall is in charge of arrangements. Visitation will be 4:00 p.m. Friday, October 8th at Rehkamp Funeral Home with a funeral mass at 10:30 a.m. Saturday October 9th at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Marshall. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery following the mass. Luncheon will follow at Adult Community Center in Marshall. The family requests memorial contributions to Prairie Home Hospice or Holy Redeemer School Foundation – Athletic Equipment.