Judith Ann LaFrance

JUDITH ANN LAFRANCE, age 72 of Elysian, died on Wednesday, April 19, 2017 at Mayo Health System-Mankato.

Born on February 5, 1945 in Mankato, Minnesota, Judie was the daughter of Herman and Elizabeth (Frederick) Muellerleile.  She attended grade school at All Saints Catholic Church in Madison Lake and graduated in 1962 from Good Counsel Academy High School in Mankato.  Judie married Michael LaFrance November 5, 1966 at All Saints Catholic Church in Madison Lake.  Through the years, she worked on and off as a teller at the Elysian Bank.  Judie enjoyed shopping with her special friends,  supporting WEM students in their athletic and arts events by sending them countless newspaper clippings and cards, and especially attending the sports and school events of her many grandchildren. She also enjoyed an occasional trip to the casino!  She was a co-founder of the WEM After Prom Party event, she received the Friend of Education Award and was active in the WEM Booster Club.  Judie was also an active volunteer with Relay for Life and various church activities including the quilting group at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Elysian where she was a long-time member. 

Judie is survived by her husband, Michael of Elysian; five children, Michelle (Steve Redding)  LaFrance of Minneapolis, Jeffrey (Lori) LaFrance of Waterville, Jared (Stacy) LaFrance of Elysian, Joel (Nicole) LaFrance of Elysian and Josh (Gina Palumbo) LaFrance of Anoka; thirteen grandchildren, Elizabeth, Jonah, and Claire Redding, Jada, Seth, and Corina LaFrance, Kylie and Kaitlyn LaFrance, Ava, Grace, and Luke LaFrance, Bianca and Viviana LaFrance; three siblings, Fred (Dixie) Muellerleile of Mankato, Rita Olsen of Mankato and Betty Briley of Mankato; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.  She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Ken Muellerleile and two brothers-in-law, Don Olsen and Glenn “Bud” Briley.

Visitation will be from 4-7 PM on Friday, April 21, 2017 at All Saints Catholic Church in Madison Lake and will continue one hour before the service at the church on Saturday. 

Funeral mass will be at 11:00AM on Saturday, April 22, 2017 at All Saints Catholic Church in Madison Lake.  Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Madison Lake. 

Memorials are preferred to American Cancer Society, St. Andrew’s Building Fund, or donor’s choice.

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