Luella LaFond, 95, Owatonna

Luella “Babe” LaFond, age 95, died peacefully at her home in Owatonna, on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025.

Friends may greet the family from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, at Brick-Meger Funeral Home, 1603 Austin Road, Owatonna and one hour prior to the funeral at the church. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 3, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 512 S. Elm Ave., Owatonna. A parish rosary will be recited at 4:45 p.m. at the funeral home.

Luella was born May 28, 1930, in Marble, Minn., to Leslie and Luella Palmer. Her father immediately named her “Babe” as she was born after two boys, and he finally had a girl. She graduated from Greenway High School in Coleraine, Minn., in 1948.

Babe married Maurice LaFond in Marble on Aug. 16, 1950. They soon moved to Owatonna, where Maurice worked at Jostens and Babe was a homemaker. They made Owatonna their home for the rest of their lives.

Luella worked at the Owatonna Hospital for 18 years where she made many good lifelong friends. Babe was dedicated to her family of seven children, her faith, and St. Joseph Catholic Church. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas for several years, a church greeter, a member of the funeral committee, and a part of the Martha’s group that helped with altar linens.

She enjoyed her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She always had a pot of coffee ready for her numerous friends to come over and enjoy while they visited. She enjoyed playing cards, following her children’s sports events, and most of all sitting on her beloved porch, where she spent countless hours. Babe will be dearly missed.

She is survived by her children: Regina LaFond, Duluth, Mark (Linda) LaFond, Bemidji, Gerard (Karen) LaFond, Owatonna, Paul (Julie) LaFond, Prospect Heights, Ill., Margaret (Keven) Boettcher, Tucson, Ariz., Matthew (Rita) LaFond, Red Wing, and Mary (Dave) Lund, Buffalo; 10 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and “daughters” Mary Lennon, Kasson, Jan O’Brien, Rochester and Kerry Ohnstad, Owatonna.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Maurice, two infant children, and her parents.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to St. Mary’s School, 730 S. Cedar Ave., Owatonna, St. Joseph Church, Alina Hospice, or the donor’s choice.

The family would like to thank Rachel Anhorn and the staff at Allina Hospice for their care and support of Luella.

For more information or to leave an online message of condolence, go to www.megercares.com.