Elmer LaDuke
Elmer R. LaDuke, 89, died peacefully at the Baldwin Care Center, surrounded by his family.
From his birth on April 25, 1929, to his death on July 16, 2018, he was a man of integrity who loved the Lord and his family. He was born in Mondovi to Reid and Ada (Fleichauer) LaDuke and was the fourth of seven. After graduating from Mondovi High School in 1947, he served in the United States Army for two years. Before moving to St. Paul, Minn., in 1960, and working for the Unisys Company for 32 years, he worked for the Schlitz Brewing, Company in Milwaukee, and The Fischer Auto Body Company in the Chicago, Ill. area.
On Nov. 12, 1960, he married Marjorie Joan Serum. They were truly each other’s soul mate and enjoyed doing everything together. They had two children, daughter, Sharon, and son, Mark. The family loved spending time together, especially traveling on vacations. Elmer and Marge made a priority of attending the sporting events and activities of their children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews.
Elmer was a loving and devoted husband to Marge for 56 years. Elmer enjoyed fishing, bowling, golfing, gardening, attending to his lawn, playing cards and Bingo. He was a huge Twins and Vikings fan and enjoyed attending games and watching them on TV. He joked that he had a split family, half Viking fans and half Packer fans! He was very active in his church, Ezekiel Lutheran, and was a member of the American Legion Post #121 of River Falls.
He will forever live in the hearts of his children, Sharon (Steve) Freitag, Baldwin, Mark (Karen) LaDuke, St. Michael, Minn.; grandchildren, Lucas, Jadyn, Brianna and Joshua; brother, Ralph LaDuke; sister, Florence Shea; sister-in-law, Florence Leefeldt; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Bob and Meg Serum and Frank and Betty Vogler; many loved nieces, nephews, and friends.
Elmer was preceded in death by his wife, Marge; his parents, Reid and Ada; brothers, Roger LaDuke, Milton LaDuke, Roy LaDuke, Paul LaDuke; brothers-in-law, Donald Shea and David Serum; sisters-in-law, Joyce LaDuke and Marian LaDuke.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 23, at Ezekiel Lutheran Church, 202 South 2nd St, River Falls. Visitation will be 3 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, July 22, at the church and one hour prior to the services on Monday. Interment will be at 2 p.m. on Monday, July 23, in Oak Park Cemetery, Mondovi. Services have been entrusted to O’Connell-Benedict Family Funeral Home in River Falls.
