Xavier Payment, 79, died on Tuesday, November 09, 2004 at his home in Gervas Township, Red Lake Falls, following a 33 year battle with leukemia, with his loving family surrounding him.

Xavier Payment was born on August 15, 1925 in Brooks, MN, the son of Ozais and Doria (Fournier) Payment. He was baptized in the Catholic Faith in Brooks, MN and confirmed in Terrebonne, MN. He attended Bugalo School.

Xavier was united in marriage to Etta LaPlante on April 4, 1945 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls. The couple farmed east of Red Lake Falls all of their lives. He also worked at Steiger Manufacturing, Falls Equipment, Bradley Motors of Erskine, and 27 campaigns at the American Crystal Sugar Company in Crookston.

Xavier loved his farm and spending time working the land. He also enjoyed crafting, gardening, spending time in his shop, feeding birds, deer watching, camping, fishing and loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. Xavier and Etta would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in the spring.

Xavier is survived by his wife, Etta; five children: Marlene (special friend, Russell) Murray of Grand Forks, ND, Joyce (Richard) Kouril of Isanti, MN, Darrell (Cindy) Payment of Red Lake Falls, MN, Lucy Payment of Crookston, MN and Ella (Mike) Inglett of West Salem, WI; 13 grandchildren: Bryan (Randi) Berger, Scott Berger, Jason (fianc, Rachel) Berger, Dallas (special friend, Nicole), Kryssa Kouril, Amy (Trevis) Knutson, Daniel (special friend, Jami) Payment, Annie (fianc Nick) Payment, Amanda Payment, Grace Payment- Espinosa, Joshua, Jessica and Janessa Parnow; 3 step grandchildren: Michelle (Mark) Neader, Mark Inglett, Jon (Reanen) Inglett; 6 great grandchildren: Sara and Stephany Berger, Devin Berger and Alyssa Berger, Christopher and Jason, Jr., Berger; 2 step great grandchildren: Sydney and Alexis Neader; two brothers: Sheldon (Gloria) Payment of South Milwaukee, WI and James Payment of Mentor, MN; one sister, Josephine M. Groom of Zachary, LA; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; infant son, Duane; and infant daughter, Phyllis.

Family condolences may be sent by visiting www.johnsonfuneralservice.net