MARY ELIZABETH "MARY BETH" LA FORGE
Mary Elizabeth "Mary Beth" LaForge, 82, of Duluth, passed away Monday, Aug. 13, 2012 in the arms of family members in her home by the 'S' curve on Park Point where she lived for 55 years
Mary Elizabeth "Mary Beth" LaForge, 82, of Duluth, passed away Monday, Aug. 13, 2012 in the arms of family members in her home by the 'S' curve on Park Point where she lived for 55 years.
Mary Beth was born in Ironwood, Mich., to Lyle and Teddy Schlender in 1930 and raised in Hurley, Wis.
She graduated from Hurley High School where she played the flute and began a life-long love of music. She received a teaching degree from the Univercity of Wisconsin Superior and she taught elementary school in Park Falls, Wis., before marrying her high school sweet heart John F. LaForge in 1952.
In 1954, Mary Beth and John moved to Duluth where they raised their four children. She, John and close friends attended the 1966 premiere concert of the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra and loved its performances for over 40 years. Mary Beth was a long-standing member of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church where she taught catechism, and for many years volunteered at the Damiano Center and at the CHUM food shelf.
Mary Beth worked to make a loving home for her family, was happy to call herself a homemaker, and she and John always had room for friends and their children's friends to enjoy the back yard and the beach.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and by her husband John.
She is survived by her children Catherine LaForge-Tonkin (Gary), John M. LaForge (Sherry LiaBraaten), Peg LaForge (Keith Brakke), and Christopher LaForge (Amy Wilson); her grandchildren Devin R. Tonkin, John R. Brakke, William Brakke and Maggie Brakke; her sister Susan Marxen of Denver, Colo.; her niece Julie (Marxen) Werner and children Michael Werner and Cara Werner.
The family's heartfelt thanks go out to Mary Beth's team of caregivers whose love and support allowed her to realize her wish to remain in her home. Please make memorials to the CHUM food shelf.
VISITATION: 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, (today) Aug. 15, 2012 in Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 East Second St., Duluth, and will continue 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 16, 2012 until the 11 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial in Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, 2002 Minnesota Avenue, Park Point. Burial at Sunrise Memorial Park, Hermantown, MN. Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home (218) 727-3555.
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