Susan E Laugeness

susan e laugeness
Susan E. Laugeness Susan Elaine (Hesby) Laugeness, 57, Moorhead, MN, died in her home surrounded by family on October 1, 2003, the day of her 37th wedding anniversary to her beloved husband, partner, and best friend, Theodore. She battled colon cancer for nearly four years, and confronted the disease with a raised fist and with extraordinary courage, beauty, grace, and always with a touch of humor. Sue was born April 30 in Fosston, Minn., to Joseph and Agnes Hesby. She graduated from Fosston Senior High with honors, and served as student council vice president. She was a uniquely gifted vocalist and musician, singing in the choir and playing first-chair clarinet and saxophone in the concert, jazz, dance, and marching bands and numerous ensembles. Her talent earned her a music scholarship to the University of Minnesota-Moorhead, where she studied business along with music. Later in life she taught herself the acoustic guitar, and often treated her family to her beautiful singing voice while attending to household chores. In 1966, she married the true love of her life, Ted, and for 37 years they were inseparable. Upon marriage, they relocated to St. Paul, MN, where she worked at the MN Dept. of Employment Security from 1966-69 and the Peat Marwick accounting firm from 1971-73. When they relocated back to Moorhead, she worked at the Northrup King Research Station from 1980-82. In 1982, she joined Ted, who co-owned Fargo-based ADDEM Inc., and helped build the business with her accounting and office management skills. She worked at ADDEM until just a few weeks before her death. Sue was known for her quick wit, positive outlook, and infectious giggle. She cherished her family above all else, and was fiercely proud and protective of her husband, children, and grandchildren. She had a special talent for creating beauty with her hands, and expressed that gift in her gardening, crocheting, sewing, cooking, baking, and decorating. Along with Ted, she was an avid backyard bird-watcher, and the two shared many other passions such as travel, music, fishing, taking evening walks, browsing flea markets, trying their luck at the casinos, cheering on the MN Twins, and being with family. Sue had a truly selfless nature, and she often worried more about the effects of her illness upon her family than on herself. She will be missed terribly. She is survived by her husband, Theodore Laugeness; two children, Lynn (Laugeness) Mena and Thomas Laugeness; son-in law, Ugo Mena; daughter-in-law, Tina (Nunn) Laugeness; two grandchildren, Abigail and Luke Laugeness; four sisters, Darlene, Lorraine, Louise, and Marty; mother-in-law, Helena Laugeness; and many cherished family members and friends. She is preceded by her parents and father-in-law. Special thanks to Dr. Ralph Levitt and his caring staff at the Roger Maris Cancer Center, and to Hospice of the Red River Valley. A private family memorial service will be held Monday at First Lutheran Church in Fargo, ND. Arrangements with Boulger Funeral Home, Fargo.

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