Mary Lou Laleman
June 29, 2017
Mary Lou Laleman, 88, of Essexville, our loving, selfless, and most dedicated mother and grandmother was born into eternal life on the afternoon of Thursday, June 29, 2017 at her home. Mary Lou was born in Bay City on August 4, 1928, the daughter of the late Armand and Marie (Sullivan) Bergevin. Mary Lou’s fondest memories of growing up on Second Street were when her father would flood the backyard during the winter time for an ice skating rink. When not so cold out, time by the camp fire making pot pies was a favorite of Mary Lou’s. She graduated in June of 1946 from St. Joseph High School. Through mutual friends, Mary Lou met Milton Laleman. They dated, fell in love, and were united in marriage on September 2, 1950. As a teenager, Mary Lou started working at the Johnson Street Bakery. She continued on as an operator at Michigan Bell Telephone and retired as a drafts person at AT&T. In her younger years, Mary Lou was an avid bowler and camper with The Travelin’ Wigwams Holiday Rambler Trailer Club. She and Milton also owned and operated Big Bend Campground in Omer. Mary Lou was a member of St. Jude Thaddeus Parish (St. Joseph and St. John the Evangelist), and was also lifetime member of the AT&T Pioneers and the Bay County Democratic Party (one of the organizations that brought President Kennedy to Bay City during his presidential campaign). Always putting others before herself, Mary Lou was passionate about girl’s softball, attending her granddaughters, Nicole and Kelcie’s games; ice hockey, where she would bundle up to watch her grandson, Brennen, and baseball, where she would cheer on her grandson, Ethan. She was one of the founders of the Catholic Schools Girl’s Basketball League, and a devoted volunteer with the American Red Cross, Bay City Fireworks, St. John’s Food Pantry and Funeral Meals, Bay Arts Council, Knights of Columbus Tootsie Roll Drive, and Michigan Bell Golf Tournament Fundraisers. Mary Lou loved her frozen Charleston Chews, which Ideal Party Store kept in the frozen cooler for her. Her one true love in life was her family. She was a generous and devoted woman who will be deeply missed, but lovingly remembered for generations to come. Mary Lou leaves to cherish her memory, her children, Marcia Laleman, Michelle (John) Overway, and Matthew (Debra) Laleman. Her memory will live on in the hearts of her grandchildren, whom she loved with all her heart: Nicole (Kevin) VanDenBoom, Amanda (Brett) Powers, Kelcie (Brandon) Krugielki, Ethan (Holly) Laleman, Brennen Overway, and her great-grandchildren, Kody VanDenBoom, Kameron VanDenBoom, Elijah Krugielki, Gavin Overway, Lucas Powers, and Maddie Powers. In addition to her parents, Mary Lou was welcomed home to heaven by her beloved husband of sixty-three years, Milton, who is waiting for her to pack the trailer to go camping at a heavenly campsite; sister, Virginia (Lawrence) Lynch; special cousin, who was more like a sister, Helen (Sullivan) Salois; mother-in-law, Suzie Tobin, and Lois Voisine, Mary Lou’s best friend who is waiting in heaven for her with a card table set up and ready for another all nighter. The entire family wishes to extend a special thank you to Sara Cobb, Carol Wright, and Rebecca Cobb, Mary Lou’s caregivers; Sara, Mary Lou’s soul mate and special manicurist, whose compassion, humor, and love filled our mother’s spirit for which her children will forever be grateful. Mary Lou’s family will be present to receive visitors on Saturday, July 22, 2017 from 9:00 AM until the time of Mary Lou’s 10:00 AM Memorial Liturgy at St. Jude Thaddeus Parish (St. John the Evangelist Church), 614 Pine St., Essexville. Fr. Dale Orlik will officiate with a Rite of Committal to be held privately in St. Patrick Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be directed to the wishes of the family. Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family online at www.skorupskis.com.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Matt and Michelle and families. So sorry to hear about the loss of your mom. May God bring you comfort and peace!
Marcia, Michele, and Matt your mother sang your praises to me every time we met. She loved you so much. Mary Lou was a dear friend who sought me out and gave me chances to be more outgoing by enlisting me in her many adventures with the Telephone Pioneers. She was a dear friend. My aunt Marie Monaghan and my mother Caterine (Monaghan) Oelberg were often visitors to her mother and aunt. In fact my mother bought all her hats from them when they had their hat shop on Center. I also had hats from them. Marylou was quite a talker and she always had a story about her children. She was a lovely, loving friend. I will miss her. Ann K. Waterman
Marcia, Matt and Michelle I have so many beautiful memories of both your mom and dad. I remember your parents and mine getting into so many prank situations and of course we always were blamed for them. I think of them as a second set of parents. Know they are all together and probably thinking of causing some kind of prank. Heavens Angels will have their hands full. Our family is definitely thinking of your at this time.
Marcia, Matt and Michelle….so very sorry to hear about the loss of your Mom, but know that she is happy now to be reunited with your Dad! I have fond memories of going to your house and how kind hearted she was. She was always smiling and a lot of fun….Keep all the great memories alive in stories and shared laughter.
Marc,
So sorry to hear of the loss of your mom. Sounds like she lived a life of abundance. I’m glad you were able to be closer to home these past few years to spend quality time. My thoughts and prayers are with you. God bless.
Marie Lord
My condolences to you Marcia, Matt and Michelle and your families on the passing of your mom. i will remember her kind smile. My prayers go out to your family and friends.
Michelle
You have our Christian sympathies
Michelle, Matt & Marcia, thank you for sharing your mom with me. Your home was my second home throughput my childhood and your mom, dad & all of you had an amazing impact on my life. I’m so sorry for your loss of an insipering woman.
Love you all.
Dear Marc,
We send our condolences to you and your family. Your Mother lived a long and fulfilled life. Although you will miss her always, you were blessed to have her with you so long. She will be in your hearts and minds forever.
Sincerely,
Marian and Stone