Pearl Laniel, 91, went peacefully home to her savior on Tuesday, December 14, 2010 at Sanford Medical Center in Thief River Falls, MN.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, December 18, 2010 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Brooks, MN with Father Chuck Huck presiding. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Brooks, MN.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service on Friday, December 17, 2010 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Brooks, MN. Visitation will also be held from 9:00 AM until 10:00 AM on Saturday at the church.

Pearl Adeline Fontaine was born August 5, 1919 in Polk County, Russia Township, Minnesota. Pearl was the daughter of Henry and Delorie (Bruneau) Fontaine. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Annes Church in Crookston, MN. Pearl attended school at St. Joseph Academy and Beltrami High School.

In 1936 Pearl moved to Brooks to help a family member care for a new baby. Early in her stay she met and fell in love with Ralph Laniel. They courted for three years until they were married on July 10, 1939. Together they made their home in Brooks, Minnesota and had a family of 13 children.

Pearls husband passed in 1964. They were married for 25 years. From there she went to work to provide for her family. She held several jobs over the years. She worked for the Brooks Post Office, Pearls Plaza, Brooks Cheese Factory, El Roco, Morans and as a jewelry consultant for Sara Coventry. Pearl was the Brooks news correspondent for the Thief River Times, Red Lake Falls Gazette and Oklee Herald. She enjoyed bible study, bowling, quilt making, dice, cards, and baking, especially her secret donut recipe.

She was an active member of the Hillcrest Auxiliary, Red Lake County Board on Aging, and Red Hats Society. She also found time to be on the Red Lake county Achievement Board, RSVP Organization, Holly Hock Homemakers, Red Lake County Fair Board, and a member of the American Cancer Society. Pearl was active with the St. Annes Society and was past chairperson for seniors at Greenleaf in Thief River Falls, but the St. Joseph Church was the center of her life.

Pearl is survived by ten children: Ruth Ann (Linus) Carriere of Spring Lake Park, MN, Paul Laniel of Denver, CO, Alice (Arnie) Cekella of Hinckley, MN, Michael (Dianne) Laniel of Minneapolis, MN, Ann Peterson of Brooks, MN, Dolores (Darryl) Grimm of Brooks, MN, Joan (Gary) Carpenter of Lake George, MN, Lora Jean (Charlie) Johnson of Oklee, MN, Janel (Roger) Walter of Plummer, MN, James (Barbara) Laniel of Elko, MN; 39 grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter Judy, son John, son in infancy Joseph, 3 brothers, and one granddaughter.