Mass of Christian Burial for Maurice James Louwagie, 94, of Marshall, will be at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 3, 2016, at St. Clotilde Catholic Church in Green Valley. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at the church. Visitation will begin with a Rosary at 4:00 p.m. and close with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue from 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Wednesday prior to the funeral Mass at St. Clotilde. Interment will follow the service at St. Clotilde Catholic Cemetery. Military honors provided by U.S. American Legion Post 0503 of Cottonwood and 113 of Marshall.
Maurice died peacefully on Saturday, July 30, 2016, at Oak Hills Senior Living Center in New Ulm, MN. Maurice James was born on February 28, 1922, in Marshall, to Hector and Ida (Callens) Louwagie. He attended school at Rural District 86 and St. Joseph’s Academy through ninth grade. During this time, he learned poetry from Sister St. Edmond that he continued to recite his whole life. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII as an electrician’s mate aboard the USS YF621 in the South Pacific, Philippine Islands, and was a member of the Cottonwood American Legion Post 0503.
On December 30, 1946, he was united in marriage to Bernadette Bot at St. Eloi Catholic Church in Ghent. Together they raised 11 children on the family farm near Green Valley. Maurice was a man deeply devoted to his faith and family and was known for acts of kindness towards others. It was said that he wore his faith like his overalls: it was part of who he was. The Rosary was important in his prayer life and he was one of the voices of the radio Rosary for years. He attended daily Mass in his retirement and served in the Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree. Maurice loved life on the farm, working in the fields and tending the animals. After 45 years of farming, he retired but continued to work with his sons as long as he was able. He and Bernie enjoyed polka dancing, square dancing, playing cards and rolle bolle. He was a man of faith, family, farming and fun.
Maurice was a positive role model to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His gentleness, kindness, and big smile will be deeply missed by his family: Catherine (and Stephen) Kjorness of Westbrook, Christine Louwagie of Tempe, AZ, Laurell Louwagie of Geneva, Switzerland, Mark (and Diane) Louwagie of Cottonwood, Marilyn (and Chad) Crow of Woodbury, Pat (and Dr. Patrick) Leadermann of Vevey, Switzerland, Ruth (and Tim) Verschaetse of Faribault, MN, Liz (and Jay) Walterman of New Ulm, MN, Matthew Louwagie of Minneapolis, MN, Sandy (and Dr. Martin) Mohr of New Ulm, and Chad (and Janelle) Louwagie of Cottonwood. He was loved and will be greatly missed by his 27 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren with more on the way. He is survived by one sister, Anna Verly.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Bernadette, sisters Marie Coudron, Bertha Van Uden, and brothers Marcel, Oscar, Rene, Emil, Charlie and Leo Louwagie.
God Rest His Soul.
Arrangements with
Rehkamp Horvath Funeral Directors
Marshall, Minnesota
(507) 532-4522
www.rehkamp-horvath.com
