Francis LaPlante

Francis "Frenchie" LaPlante, age 91, of Mentor, MN, passed away on Friday, September 30th at Riverview Hospital in Crookston, MN. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, October 8th at 11:00 AM at St. Lawrence Catholic Church at Mentor with Monsignor Roger Grundhaus presiding. Visitation will be held for one hour before the funeral at the church, and interment will be at St. Lawrence Catholic Cemetery at Mentor. The Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home of Erskine, MN is in charge of the arrangements. Messages of condolence may be sent at www.carlinhoialmen.com.Francis Andrew "Frenchie" LaPlante was born on October 15, 1919 on the family farm near Fisher, MN to parents Frank and Georgine (Bilden) LaPlante. He was raised and attended school in Fisher and Crookston. In 1937 he completed advanced studies at Northwest School of Agriculture in Crookston.Frenchie enlisted in the Army as a Medic and later transferred to the Army Air Corp; became a pilot, was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant, flying personnel and cargo missions in the Pacific theater. While in the service he met his future wife Emma "Susie" Johnson of Austin, Texas. He was honorably discharged in February 1946 and married Susie on March 31, 1946.Frenchie and Susie farmed near Crookston for a year and then returned to Texas and he began working for New Holland Machine Company until December 1960. Sons Glenn and Michael were born during those years. The family then returned to Minnesota and began farming near Mentor, MN. Kira and Charles were born during these farming years. Frenchie continued farming and working for Massey Ferguson Implement Dealer in Crookston and later he started Mentor Set-Up and Improvement Company. He and his brother Willis continued setting up farm equipment independently until his retirement in 1989.He always enjoyed socializing, gardening, raising flowers, observing nature, fishing, journaling, taking pictures and sharing them with anyone that would sit still long enough to hear the details. Frenchie reveled in time spent with family, cousins, nephews, nieces and grandchildren. He was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign War and American Legion. He attended St Lawrence Catholic Church in Mentor.Frenchie passed away on Friday, September 30, 2011 at Riverview Hospital in Crookston at the age of 91 years, 11 months, 15 days and one story short.Survivors include his children Glenn (Elaine) of Livermore CA, Michael (Carol) of Lake Waynoka OH, Kira (Chester) Hallof of Mentor, six grandchildren, Mike, Jeff, Chris, Eric, Charles and Faith, two great grandchildren, five step grandchildren, four step great grandchildren, two sisters-in-law, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife Susie, son Charles, three brothers Virgil, Robert and Willis, and two sisters Doris Coauette and Bette Kuznia.