Carmen A. LaFrance

Carmen A. LaFrance, 84, of Plymouth, lived a full, abundantly blessed life defined by her faith, family, friends, and in closing every correspondence with “I love you”. Carmen passed into her heavenly home on June 24, 2020, following a massive stroke.

Born at home on Oct 5, 1935, minutes before her twin sister on the family farm in Wells, MN, she numbered 10 of 12 children, never lacked a playmate, and took pride in her 100% Polish ancestry. During her freshman year at Mankato State, she captured the eye and (ultimately) the heart of Pierre (Pete) at a college basketball game. Despite their first date, on a sub-zero January night, ending with Pete’s car requiring a rolling restart down a hill (great first impression, Dad), she married the man who adored, honored, loved and danced with her for almost 63 beautiful years. She’d continually say, “We just never run out of things to talk about.”

Because Pete’s auditing job (Deere & Co) required relocations every few months, she reluctantly resigned from teaching after one year, but fast-tracked her second career as the quintessential Mom. And, she was a natural. In her twenties, she gave birth to five children, the first four in just over 3 years, and then whoops!, the surprise blessing of her sixth, and probably favorite child (yes, Mom, we all knew) at age 40. She balanced raising children with volunteering for our schools, church, hospice, pro-life causes, playing golf, tennis, bridge, and coveted date nights with her husband. Between her activities, homemade cookies magically appeared on the kitchen counter. In her element when creating, she could be heard “humming” while gardening, arranging seasonal decorations, making dinner, and when donning make-up. Inherently a “night owl”, she cherished evening downtime and late-night “Mom-talks” with her children/ grandchildren. An attentive listener, confidence builder, problem-solver, spiritual counselor, and incredibly patient (unless you spilled milk on the floor prior to her bridge group arrival), she was our lifeline. We felt completely and unconditionally loved. Favorite things: Her grandchildren, autumn, stylish clothes, the Green Bay Packers, all things conservative and Catholic, long lunches with friends, prayer, a good party, travel, a clean house, decorating, carbs, physical touch, brandy, music, brunch, moisturizer. She owned an inability to say “goodbye”, to leave a voicemail message less than 3 minutes, or send texts without multiple emojis/exclamation points. Her 14 “precious angel” grandchildren, ages 8 to 33, adored Mimiere/Mimi’s hugs, lengthy birthday cards, holidays, childhood stories, kindness, humor, generous gifts, sleep-overs, her political sparring, her love for Papa, and the pure joy she exuded when surrounded by family.

Survived by her soulmate, Pete; children, Anne (Bruce Merry), Suzette (Brian) Burley, Greg (Lisa), Paul (Julie), Mary (Jim) Ziemer, Todd (Sarah). Grandchildren; Michelle Kemmer, Meghan, Ali, and Shannon Burley, Nic and Marie LaFrance, Tanner, Cameron, Sawyer and Paulina LaFrance, Sydney and Emma Ziemer, Jack and Luke LaFrance; siblings, Jeannie (Mike) Weydert, twin sister Pat (Bill) Schindler. In-laws; Rita Staloch, Janie Staloch, Grace Staloch, Marvel Stiple, Maureen LaFrance, Ginny LaFrance, Mike LaFrance, 40+ nieces/nephews, numerous friends. Proceeded in death by nine siblings

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, June 30th, at the Church of St. Bartholomew, 630 E. Wayzata Blvd., Wayzata, at Noon. Visitation only at Gearty-Delmore Plymouth Chapel, 15800 37 ^th Ave N. & Vicksburg Ln., from 9:30 am - 11:15am. Private burial at Resurrection Cemetery in Shorewood. Carmen's Mass will be live-streamed on her Gearty-Delmore obituary page. Social distancing will be practiced.

Memorials preferred to Abria Pregnancy Resources and IOCP (Interfaith Outreach).