Lois Bellefeuille, age 70, of Ponsford, Minnesota, died Tuesday, November 29, 2011 at the Mahnomen Health Center Nursing Home in Mahnomen, Minnesota.
Lois Marie Otto was born June 26, 1941 the daughter of Harry and Viola (Roy) Otto in the Mahnomen area. As a very young child, Lois lived with her family briefly in Duluth, MN, and Little Fork, MN, before returning to Mahnomen about the time Lois reached school age. She attended parochial and public schools in Mahnomen. She then worked as a retail clerk at Blandings store in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. On January 21, 1961 Lois was united in marriage to Kenneth J. Bellefeuille at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Mahnomen. Through the years, Lois and Ken, along with their two sons, lived in the Minneapolis, Minnesota metro area, Denver, Colorado and Seattle, Washington. They returned to Minneapolis about 30 years ago, and retired 10 years later to Round Lake in rural Ponsford.
Lois was first and foremost a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She was an avid reader of historical novels. She loved the lakes of Minnesota, the mountains of Colorado and the Seattle waterfront. Over the years, she was able to make many wonderful memories while on camping trips and sitting around a bonfire. Lois also enjoyed dancing, fishing, bowling, trips to Las Vegas, Nevada and meeting with friends.
Lois is survived by her husband of 50 years, Kenneth of Ponsford; two sons: John K. (Lisa) Bellefeuille of Spokane, Washington, and Edward "Jesse" (Brandie) Bellefeuille of Woodrow, Colorado; five grandchildren: Katie, Aspen, Steven, Baxter, and Kit; and two brothers, Kenneth (Joyce) Otto of Mahnomen and Douglas (Mary) Otto of Dilworth, Minnesota. She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers: John, Elroy, and Vernon; and her sister, Doris.
A Memorial Mass was held at 10:30am on Saturday, December 3, 2011 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Mahnomen. The celebrant was Father Tony Fernando with Brenda Sørensen as the pianist and Jennifer Kahlbaugh as the cantor. Special music was provided by Liz Harman with the accompanist being Reverend Chris Bellefeuille. A time of gathering was held one hour prior to the service on Saturday.
Inurnment took place at St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery in Mahnomen.