Anna LaMontagne

Anna E. LaMontagne, 95, of L’Erable, passed away Monday (March 8, 2010) at her home, with her daughter, Janet Burke, and granddaughter, Rebecca Benoit, her caretaker, by her side. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at the Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home, Bourbonnais, where her funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday. The Rev. Charles Wheeler will officiate. Interment will be in All Saints Cemetery, Bourbonnais. Memorials may be made to the family wishes. Mrs. LaMontagne was born Oct. 12, 1914, in Chicago, to Sylvester and Anna Tverionias Marma. She married LeRoy P. LaMontagne Sept. 17, 1933, at St. Rose Catholic Church in Wilmington. He preceded her in death in January 1987. Surviving are two daughters, Darlene (Clifford) Rettell of DuQuoin, formerly of Bourbonnais, Janet (William) Burke of Martinton; seven grandchildren, Deborah Rettell and Gene Gulley, Cathy Foiles, Dawn Crouse, Michael (Sheila) Crouse, Sheila (Donald) Haggard, Kimberly (Mark) Williams, Rebecca Benoit; 13 great-grandchildren, Timothy Lowe, Joshua Lowe, Miranda Rettell, Anthony Gulley, Aaron Haggard, Afton Haggard, Derek Crouse, Eric Benoit, Dennis Malone II, Robin (Seth) Behrends, Cory Messerle, Kathy Brown and Chad Crouse; three stepgreat-grandchildren, 12 great-great-grandchildren and six stepgreat-greatgrandchildren; two sisters, Mary Pelehowski of Coal City and Eva Marma of Kankakee; and two sisters-in-law, Geraldine Marma of Braceville and Betty Marma. Preceding Mrs. LaMontagne in death were one grandson, Randy Rettell; her parents; sisters, Marcella Hibbler, Stella Cairns, Dora Lestina and Vera Livingston; and brothers, Sylvester, John and Joseph Marma. Anna’s first job was housekeeping. She worked on the farm with her father. After she married, she worked at the Bear Brand Hosiery Company, Kroehler Furniture and also farmed awhile with her husband, while working at General Foods Corporation. Anna drove the farthest through a bad snow storm to work. Not too many others made it to work. She also worked more overtime hours than most employees. They called her “Big Ann.” After more than 30 years, she retired at age 63. Then she enjoyed crocheting many blankets for many kin. The birds outside her window made her happy. Before her eyesight failed and hearing went bad, you would see her working on her mower and cutting the lawn after LeRoy passed. She loved going to Florida with her younger brother and sister-in-law to fish. Anna loved all her family and would do anything for them because of her big, big heart. She will be deeply missed.

Anna LaMontagne

October 12, 1914 - March 8, 2010