Obit: Miller, Delores (LaBarge) (1929 – 2016)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Miller, LaBarge, Rogstad, Burr, Brice, Devaney, Weymiller, Ayers, Bubolz, Thurs, Olson, Gumz, Olsen, Gerke, Dahlby, Martens

----Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Abbotsford, Wis.) 24 Aug 2016

Miller, Delores (LaBarge) (25 OCT 1929 – 25 AUG 2016)

Delores E. (LaBarge) Miller, 86, loving mother, wife, grandmother and friend, left us to meet her maker on Thursday, Aug. 25, 2016. Delores was the consummate example of positivity and kindness. Anyone who knew her, knows that her smile alone would warm a room and welcome everyone. Her family welcomes you to join them in a tribute to Delores and a celebration of her life beginning with visitation at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, in Loyal, from 4-7 p.m., on Friday, Sept. 2, followed by the funeral at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, in Loyal, at 10 a.m., on Saturday, Sept. 3, with Rev. Steve Brice officiating. Burial will follow in West Spencer Cemetery, in Spencer.

Delores Elizabeth Rogstad was born on Oct. 25, 1929, to Hildegard (nee Burr) and Edward Rogstad near Rozellville, and moved to Guttenberg, Iowa, at the age of five with her family, as her father worked on the Mississippi River locks during the Great Depression. She then moved with her family to Quincy, Ill., for a short time, to a farm near Marshfield, and finally to Loyal. Always a mother, it seemed, as her own mom passed at an early age, she cared for her three younger siblings even into her first year of marriage. She married Raymond LaBarge on May 22, 1947. Together, they raised 10 children on a farm near Loyal, relentlessly stressing a wholesome work ethic and higher education. They moved to Spencer in 1985, after selling the family farm to their son David (Kim). Raymond LaBarge died in February 1995. She married Ray Miller in November 1999. She will be remembered as an exemplary mother and grandmother, a devout Catholic and mass cantor, a St. Joseph’s Hospital volunteer, a member and former president of the PCCW, a self-taught professional quality seamstress, an amazing speller with a respect for education that earned her a high school diploma at age 62, and one of the kindest people on this great earth. She taught her children to pursue their dreams, never give up and always look on the bright side. When recently asked the best part of her 86 years of living, she responded “being a mother.” Delores loved being with family, creating surprises, reading, playing sheepshead and having family gatherings. She welcomed any opportunity for everyone to be together.

She is survived by her husband: Ray Miller; nine children: Jerry (Karen) LaBarge, Tom (Diane) LaBarge, Jackie Devaney, Tim (Judy) LaBarge, Kathy (Randy) Pachal, Patti (Gene) Pachal, David (Kim) LaBarge, Bruce (Lisa) LaBarge, and Lisa (Dave) Schumacher; 23 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren, with two more expected any day; two sisters: Dorothy Weyhmiller and Marion (Mel) Ayers; one brother: Clarence (Pat) Rogstad; two sisters-in-law: Hazel and Elvira Rogstad; one brother-in-law: Dr.Tom Martens; seven step-children: Steve (Linda Sue) Miller, Ken Miller, Kathy (Dave) Bubolz, Sue (fiancé Dave Thurs) Olson, Dawn (Rodney) Gumz, Dori (Bill) Olsen, and Janalee (Carl) Gerke; 15 step-grandchildren; six step-great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray LaBarge; a daughter, Peggy (Steve) Dahlby; four brothers: Norbert, Vern, Harold and Jerry Alan Rogstad; and one sister: Anita Martens.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com.

Cuddie Funeral Home, Loyal, is assisting the family with arrangements