Red Lake Falls - Laura Mercil, 93, died Monday, September 18, 2000 at Hillcrest Nursing Home in Red Lake Falls.
Mass of Christian burial was held on Saturday, September 23, at 2 p.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls with Father Tim Bushy officiating. Kathie Knott was the organist, and special music was provided by St. Joseph's Church Choir. Casketbearers were Chris Morinville, Robert Moran, Jeremy Moran, Perry Morinville, Mike Moran, Chris Erickson and Jack Erickson. Honorary casketbearers were all of Laura's grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Interment was in St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery in Red Lake Falls with Johnson Funeral Service in charge of the arrangements.
Laura Marie Patnode was born on March 18, 1907 at Moxee, Wash., the daughter of Stephen and Sarah (Page) Patnode. When she was 15, she moved with her family to Red Lake Falls.
On February 22, 1925, she was united in marriage to Theophile Goulet at Red Lake Falls. The couple farmed in the Red Lake Falls area and raised their three children, Lawrence, Leo and Lorraine. Theophile died on July 18, 1964.
On December 30, 1968, she was married to Leon Mercil in Red Lake Falls. Laura worked as a cook at Hillcrest Nursing Home for 14 years. Leon died on September 1, 1990.
Laura was a member of the Catholic Daughters, St. Anne's Society, Senior Citizens, and St. Joseph's Catholic Church and its Guild.
Survivors include a son, Leo (Bernice) Goulet of Lake Havasu, Ariz.; a daughter, Lorraine (Clayton) Moran of Thief River Falls; a daughter-in-law, Emily Goulet of Auburn, Wash.; 12 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; four stepchildren and many step grandchildren, step great-grandchildren and step great great-grandchildren. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
Laura was preceded in death by her husbands; a son, Lawrence Goulet; her parents; and a grandson, Joseph Goulet. A00003B2000SP27