Rita Carol Perusse, 70, passed away peacefully in Sandpoint, ID on December 18, 2008 after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, January 10, 2009 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls, MN with Father Chuck Huck presiding. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery in Red Lake Falls, MN.
Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Friday, January 9, 2009 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls, MN with a 7:00 P.M. Prayer service on Friday evening and also at the church for one hour prior to the service on Saturday.
Rita Carol LaCoursiere was born in Red Lake Falls, MN in 1938 to Emery (Tug) and Rose (Chatel) LaCoursiere. Rita attended Lafayette High School in Red Lake Falls and for many years worked in the travel industry. After living in Connecticut for many years, Rita moved to Sandpoint in 2005 to be closer to her daughter. She had the ability to instantly make friends and her quick wit will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Rita is survived by her five children Rick Perusse of Trumbull, CT; Shelly Perusse of Shelton CT; Kim Skane of Wilmington, NC; Greg (Kelly) Perusse of Pearland, TX, and Barb Perusse of Sandpoint, ID. Also surviving her are brothers, Roland LaCoursiere of Wichita Kansas, Jerry (Veronica) LaCoursiere of Eveleth, MN, Jim LaCoursiere of Red Lake Falls, MN and Mike (Bonnie) LaCoursiere of Bloomington, MN. She is survived by grandchildren Danielle (Sam) Raykes, Chris and Ryan Skane, Mallory (Chris) Companik, Kyle, Rachel, Kelsey and Michael Perusse & Deana (Clynt) Waddell. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews as well as a special friend and daughter in law Kathy Perusse.
Rita was preceded in death by her parents, a brother Marvin (Skeet) LaCoursiere, a nephew Ryan LaCoursiere and a sister-in-law Phyllis LaCoursiere.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Kinderhaven, P.O. Box 2097, Sandpoint, ID 83864; Community Cancer Services, 1215 Michigan Street, Suite B, Sandpoint, ID 83864; or the Boys and Girls Club of LNV, 1 Positive Place, Shelton, CT 06484.