Rita Lalonde

Rita P. LaLonde, age 86, passed away Tuesday, July 5, 2011 at the Lifespan Good Samaritan Hospice Residence. She was born October 28, 1924 in Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin the daughter of Peter Nicholas and Pauline (Frieund) Halfmann. Rita was a 1942 graduate of Oakfield High School in Oakfield, Wisconsin and moved to Battle Creek later that same year. She had worked at the Eaton Corporation for several years and owned and operated The Karmelkorn Shop in downtown Battle Creek. Rita was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church where she was a Eucharistic Minister, was active in the Women’s Guild, St. Mary’s Cecilia Circle and was secretary of the Altar Society for several years. She was also involved with the Battle Creek Health System Auxiliary and American Legion Post #298 Auxiliary. On October 14, 1943 she was married to Donald C. LaLonde in Oakfield, Wisconsin and he preceded her in death on April 1, 1972. She was also preceded by two sisters: Vera Scanlan of Battle Creek and Olive Ryan of Plymouth, Wisconsin. Surviving are six children: David C. (Barbara) LaLonde of Battle Creek, Karen A. Relay of Maryland, Michael S. (Jean) LaLonde of Big Rapids, D.J. (Laura) LaLonde of Battle Creek, Rita (Jim) Green of Battle Creek and Christine LaLonde of Chicago; twelve grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren and one sister: Elfrieda Kovach of Ypsilanti. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 11, 2011 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with The Very Rev. Father Robert F. Creagan, V.F. officiating. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home on Sunday from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. where the Rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. Memorial contributions may be given to the Humane Society of South Central Michigan or American Cancer Society.

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