Theresa Laleman

Theresa Anne (Bakker) Laleman was born January 10, 1925, to Clara (Lens) and Henry Bakker near Ruthton, MN. She was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith at St. Dionysius in Tyler, MN. On January 15, 1947, she was united in marriage to Joseph D. Laleman. Together they farmed near Russell. Their family of four daughters were a joy and pride to them. She was a wonderful homemaker known for her baking and sewing. Upon retirement, Theresa enjoyed working at Stan’s Place, playing cards, square dancing, and the many bus trips that took her and Joe to different parts of the country. After Joe passed away, she continued playing cards, especially “Pepper” with friends and at the community center. Theresa was a member of the Legion Auxillary, the “Chit Chat Club”, and enjoyed volunteering her time. She enjoyed her family very much, especially the little ones and the ice cream celebrations. Crocheted afghans, dishcloths, embroidered dishtowels, handmade Christmas ornaments, blue jean quilts, teddy bears, and coins were all special gifts and memories to her entire family. In mid-May, after an injury, she became a resident of the Minneota Nursing Home. On June 16, Theresa suffered a stroke and it was then that she decided to make the Prairie Home Hospice her final home. She died there on Monday, August 6, 2012. Theresa leaves behind a loving family of four daughters Elizabeth (Ernie) Lanoue of Ivanhoe, Irene (Alvin) Knaak of Stewart, Patricia (Ray) Elston of Windom, and Ellen (Alan) Habben of Paynesville; grandchildren Sharon (Dean) Jacobsen, Tammy(Jerry) Perez, Dean (Jenny) Lanoue, Janet Lanoue, Elizabeth (fiancé Aaron Stroeh) Knaak, Chad (Emily) Elston, Jeff (Lindsay) Elston, Ryan (Jenni) Elston, Kurt (Kara) Habben, Eric (special friend Nicole Tiderman) Habben, and Jenny (Chris) Jacobson; great-grandchildren Cory and Trevor Jacobsen, Blake and Caleb Lanoue, Ethan and Makayla Lothert, Brock, Molly, Seth, Nolan, and Joseph Elston, Ellie and Logan Jacobson, and Parker and Josie Habben; brothers Charles (Sharon) Bakker and George (Audrey) Bakker; sisters MaryLou DeSaer, Ellen (Frank) Brentine, Cecilia (Rod) Lipp; brothers-in-law George and Andrew Laleman, Louis Buysse, and Bob Lanoue; sister-in-law she considered her little sister, Margaret Stassen; many nieces; nephews; friends; and loved ones. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph; her parents and parents-in-law; infant brother, James; brothers James and Raymond Bakker; sisters Agnes Prairie and Betty Lanoue. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to Prairie Home Hospice.