Lavern Joseph Ouellette

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Lavern Ouellette, of Fargo, ND, was called home to be with his Heavenly Father on January 15, 2024, at the age of 97, at SMP St. Catherine’s South, Fargo, ND, with family by his side.

Lavern was born January 19, 1926, at Dickinson, ND, to Alphonse and Cecelia Ouellette. He grew up on the family farm and attended country school south of Belfield, ND.

Lavern was united in marriage to Evelyn Fugere on June 2, 1947, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church at Gaylord, ND. They lived and worked on a farm for two years before moving to Belfield, ND. Lavern worked at the John Deere dealership in Belfield until 1961, when he and Evelyn moved their family of ten children to Fargo, ND. He worked for Fargo Implement, now RDO Equipment, until 1971. He worked for Pat McGrath until 1980, before working at St. Mary’s Cathedral as a custodian until retiring in 1988. Retirement for Lavern only meant he wasn’t paid for the time he spent working on any projects Father Bitz had for him at St. Mary’s. He spent much of his free time working in his woodshop building doll cradles, chairs, tables, and rocking chairs for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. After leaving St. Mary’s, he became the property manager for Sts. Anne & Joachim Catholic Church and oversaw the building project of the new church facility on 52nd Avenue South. He continued to work at the church until his retirement in 2007.

Lavern never continued his formal education past eighth grade, but that never stopped him from being an excellent mechanic, wood worker, or custodian. If a motor needed fixing, a house needed remodeling, or cabinets or furniture made, he could do it. In his later years, he suffered from dementia and lived at Bethany on University, and at Edgewood Healthcare. Physically he was doing well for someone in their 90’s but a fall in November of 2022 caused a broken hip and consequently the need of more skilled nursing care, thus the move to SMP St. Catherine’s South.

Lavern is survived by 4 sons, Gary (Betty), Plymouth, MN, Rene (Sherri), Devils Lake, ND, Lloyd (Sue) and Brian (Diana), both Fargo, ND; 5 daughters, Brenda (John) Carlson, Fargo, ND, Pamela (David) Finch, Aurora, CO, Debbie Kroshus, Bismarck, ND, Colleen (Mike) Burfening, Grand Forks, ND, and Valerie (Jerome) Mogard, Fargo, ND; 27 grandchildren, 42 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great-grandchildren. Also surviving Lavern are his sisters-in-law, Ida Mae (Al) Dietz, Dickinson, ND, Francis Adams, Dickinson, ND, a special daughter-in-law, Renee (Haats) Duval, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn; son, Gerard; grandsons, Dallas Tessier and Rob Burfening; great-grandson, Haiden Ouellette; great-great-grandson, Baylor Grant; his parents, and his sister, Agnes.

He will be greatly missed by all his family and friends, but we rejoice in knowing he has joined Evelyn in heaven.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to be made to Sts. Anne & Joachim Catholic Church, SMP St. Catherine’s South, or Hospice of the Red River Valley.

Visitation will be held at Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center, Fargo, ND, at 5 PM on Thursday, January 25, 2024, with the prayer service at 7 PM. Funeral Mass will be at Sts. Anne & Joachim Catholic Church on Friday, January 26, 2024, at 10 AM, with visitation beginning one hour prior. Burial will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery North.

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