Rita Marie Laleman

Rita Marie (Girard) Laleman was born on Wednesday, October 12, 1927 to Ambrose and Marie (DeBuscher) Girard in Marshall, Minnesota. She was baptized and confirmed at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Marshall. Rita was united in marriage to George H. Laleman on June 1, 1948 at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Marshall. They made their home on a farm near Cottonwood for many years before retiring and moving into Cottonwood in December of 1983. Rita worked as a cook for several years at the Cottonwood Country Club. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and the CCW in Cottonwood. Rita and George went on many vacations and loved going to Texas to visit their son. She enjoyed baking and having food on hand for family and friends when they stopped by. She also enjoyed golfing, painting, sewing, playing cards, dancing, and going to the casino with George. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. On Monday, August 22, 2016, Rita passed away at the Morningside Heights Care Center in Marshall, MN at the age of 88 years, 10 months, and 10 days. She is survived by her husband George Laleman of Cottonwood; 6 children, Greg (Deb) Laleman of Marshall, Jim Laleman of Mansfield, TX, Diane (Mark) Louwagie of Cottonwood, Mark (Cheryl) Laleman of Cottonwood, Doug (Nan) Laleman of Marshall, and Kevin (Sherri) Laleman of Savage; 19 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren; 3 siblings, Barbara (Robert) Brewers of Marshall, Vincent Girard of St. Michael, and Ambrose Girard Jr. of Minneota; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, daughter, Debra Laleman, sisters, Marian Boerboom, and Juliane Wyffels, brothers-in-law, Gerald Boerboom, and Jim Wyffels, and sisters-in-law, Roberta Girard, and Patricia Girard. Blessed be her memory.