Laura Mae (DeMaine) Meagher, 91 of Watervliet, went on to join her Lord and Savior with loving family by her side, on Sunday, March 5, 2023.
Laura Mae was born Dec. 29, 1931 in Pembina, North Dakota. Laura was one of four children born to Joseph and Elizabeth (Fritz) DeMaine. She grew up on a farm where she spent her days doing farm chores and learned to cook beside her mom in the kitchen.
In February of 1950 Laura met and married Charles William Meagher. They resided in Pembina, ND. During one of the infamous spring floods they welcomed their son William Michael. Due to the flooding they returned home from the hospital with their new baby by boat. They moved to Watervliet in September of 1950 where they raised their five children; Michael, Cathy, Mary, Leonard, and Joyce.
Laura worked 40 years at the Watervliet Papermill. She was always one to keep busy. After retiring from the paper mill she worked part time at WESCO. Shopping trips with Laura tended to be an adventure. She would outlast everyone and always came home with the best deals.
Laura loved her family, and her home was the gathering place for all celebrations, from graduations to reunions, birthdays and holidays. Her home was always warm and welcoming. Friends and family often stopped by to sit and chat at her table. Her smile and a hug made you feel special and you never left her home hungry. She was loved by all that knew her.
She enjoyed cooking and baking and was known for her wonderful desserts. She was often asked to provide these treats for bake sales and various church functions. Christmas was a special time for her. She baked and put together a variety of cookies and goodies and sent them out to all her children and grandchildren, wherever they were. She loved working in her garden, raising and canning fruits and vegetables. Her love for cooking and baking was passed on to her children.
Laura was a devout Catholic and a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Watervliet and Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Hartford. She was a member of the prayer chain and often led the Rosary before mass in Watervliet.
Laura is survived by her children, William Michael (Cathy) Meagher of Jacksonville, FL, Cathleen Mae (Guy) Sliter of Benton Harbor, Leonard Joseph (Mary) Meagher of Watervliet, Joyce Elizabeth Kiekenapp of Watervliet, and David Rodewald of Coloma. Also surviving are 24 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Laura was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Elizabeth DeMaine; her brother, Ralph DeMaine, and sisters, Doris (DeMaine) O’Leary and Teresa (DeMaine) Dunn. Her husband Charles Meagher died in 2017, their daughter Mary (Meagher) Rodewald in 2001, and their infant son, Richard Meagher in 1952.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 11 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Hartford, followed by a burial in Coloma Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, March 10 at Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home in Coloma concluding with a rosary at 7:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please leave a mass in memory of Laura at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Hartford or St. Joseph Catholic Church in Watervliet. Those wishing to leave a message or share a memory with the family online may do so at www.duffieldpastrick.com.
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