Louise Gervais
Mass of Christian Burial for Louise Gervais, 83, was conducted at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 18, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Currie with Father Paul Surprenant and Msgr. R. Paul Heiting concelebrating. Patty LeClaire was organist and LoAnn Hanson was song leader. Pallbearers were Dale Knutson, Christopher Gervais, Michael Turner, Matthew Suedbeck, Brandi Larson, Samantha Gervais and Clare Siska. Interment was in Calvary Cemetery, Currie.
Mrs. Gervais passed away on Friday, April 14, 2017, at the Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls, S.D., at the age of 83
Louise Surprenant, the daughter of Ralph and Augusta (Dresow) Surprenant, was born on Feb. 23, 1934, in Currie, Minnesota. She grew up on a farm near Currie and graduated from Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School. Louise was united in marriage to Hugh Gervais on August 20, 1953, at IHM Church in Currie. After their marriage they lived and farmed east of Currie. Louise remained on the farm after Hugh passed away in September of 2002. In the spring of 2010 she moved into Currie. She worked as the director of the End-O-Line Railroad Park in Currie for over 30 years. She was a member of IHM Catholic Church and served on the W.C.C.W. where she held many positions and was also a Catholic Daughter. Louise was also a member of the Currie American Legion Auxiliary, Currie Town & Country, was a Master Gardener and a 4-H leader for many years. Louise enjoyed sewing, gardening, birds and squirrels, the Minnesota Twins, following her family in their sports, making jigsaw puzzles and playing cards. She was always proud of her perfect game she pitched in softball in high school.
Survivors include her eight children, Marie (Duane) Knutson of Springfield, Francis (Loretta) Gervais of Currie, Martha (Mark) Siska of Byron, Elizabeth (Nick) Larson of Vergas, Kathleen (Ken) Schmitt of Slayton, Julie Suedbeck of Willmar, Michelle (Ken) Zabella of Orlando, Fla., and Robert (Katie) Gervais of Currie; 25 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; 10 siblings, Doris (Floyd) Peterson of Blaine, Ralph (Myrna) Surprenant of Tracy, Jim (Barb) Surprenant of Slayton, Phyllis (Vern) Ahrndt of Ham Lake, Mary Steffen of Waconia, Leo Surprenant of Redwood Falls, Bernadette Koester of Mitchell, S.D., Fr. Paul Surprenant of Byron, Joan Surprenant of Tracy, and Michael Surprenant of Currie; and sister-in-law, Mary Jo Surprenant of Mankato. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband; great-grandson, Lincoln Arnold; and two brothers, Ken and Fr. John Surprenant.
The Totzke Funeral Home in Slayton was entrusted with funeral arrangements.