Obituary of Gisele Regina Lagasse

Gisele Regina Lagasse (nee Rivard) of Gravelbourg, SK passed away December 25, 2012, at the age of 74 years. Gisele was born May 26, 1938 on the family farm near Fir Mountain, SK. She was the youngest daughter of Arthur and Leonie (nee Dumont) Rivard. At the age of 7 Gisele began attending Plessis Country School in the Fir Mountain district, which was located a few miles from the home farm. She later joined her sisters as a border in the Lafleche Convent, where she completed her Grade 12. After graduating Gisele worked as a cook for the Sisters at the Lafleche Boarding School, where she enjoyed her work and was regarded as an amazing cook. It was during this time that she began dating Emile Lagasse of Gravelbourg and on October 7, 1959 they were married at her home parish in Glentworth. Their first home was a little white house on the Lagasse Homestead, and where they began their family. During this time Gisele did lots of sewing, not only for her children, but to help supplement their income. She also sewed for others, and many of hours were spent sewing for the sisters of Jesus Marie. In 1974 Gisele and Emile bought the house on 5th Avenue in Gravelbourg and moved the family into town. They both worked as janitor for the Gravelbourg High School and Gisele also obtained her School Bus Drivers Permit so that she could replace Emile when needed. During this time she also worked for Census Canada. Around 1980 Gisele began working part time for Crop Insurance, where she was an employee for many years. Gisele enjoyed camping and fishing, and would even clean her own fish. She also spent many hours driving around sightseeing with Emile. Gisele loved quilting and made baby quilts for all her great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She also enjoyed crocheting, needlework and knitting, resulting in her family all getting new mittens and scarfs nearly every year. Giselle even made outfits for their dolls and with her many talents her family was all blessed with receiving many homemade gifts, which they all appreciated and dearly treasured. Gisele will be deeply missed by her family and friends. Gisele was predeceased by her father Arthur Rivard in 1974, her mother Leonie (nee Dumont) Rivard in 1981, and a half-sister Alice (nee Rivard) Hill in 1957, also a few sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law. She leaves to mourn her husband, Emile Lagasse of 53 years; her children, Louise (Paul) Lalonde, Diane (Andre) Paulhus, Irene (Robert) Lefebvre, Jean Lagasse (Terri Nicolawchuck); 7 grandchildren, Suzanne Lalonde, Andrea Lalonde (Andy Produniuk ), Paulette Lalonde (Denis Dumonceaux), Nicole Lalonde (Eric Simard), ReJean Lalonde and Cassandra and Rebecca Lefebvre; great-grandchildren, Emilie and Nicholas Sawatsky, Renee, Zoe and Josee Dumonceaux and Gavin and Xander Simard; 2 brothers, Jules and Leo Rivard; 4 sisters, Antoinette Lagasse, Therese Lorrain, Cecile Gauthier and Juliette Nogue; 7 sisters-in-law, 1 brother -in-law and over 140 nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Funeral Mass was celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 29, 2012, at Our Lady of the Assumption Co-Cathedral, Gravelbourg, SK, with Father Joseph Strohhofer celebrant. The eulogy was shared by Paul and Lucille Lagasse. Cross bearer was Cassandra Lefebvre. Readers were Tracy Lagasse and Mariette Anderson. Prayers of the faithful were shared by Annette Gruending. Offertory gifts were presented by Emile Sawatsky, Renee Dumonceaux and Zoe Dumonceaux. Soloist Andre Moquin was accompanied by organist Leona Bourgeois. Urn bearer was Jean Lagasse. Honorary pallbearers were Suzanne Lalonde, Andrea Lalonde, Paulette Dumonceaux, Nicole Lalonde, ReJean Lalonde, Cassandra Lefebvre and Rebecca Lefebvre. Interment took place at the Gravelbourg Roman Catholic Cemetery. Memorial donations in memory of Gisele to St. Joseph Hospital/Foyer d’Youville Foundation, Box 810, Gravelbourg, SK S0H 1X0, were greatly appreciated.