Hildegarde Emily McLaurin (DeGagne) passed away peacefully on May 24, 2016 at Auburn Manor in Chaska MN in the company of her children and friends.
Born on September 18, 1932 in East Grand Forks MN, she attended school at Sacred Heart and was an organist there. She married James R. McLaurin and moved to Chicago where he attended optometry school and she worked in a bank. They then moved to Harvey ND where they worked together in his optometry practice. They had eleven children. She lived in Bismarck ND, Mandan ND, and ultimately Chaska MN. Hildegarde was an accomplished pianist and organist. She played the organ at St. Cecelia's church in Harvey ND during her years there. She played piano for high school musical groups and soloists in Harvey ND, Bismarck ND, and Mandan ND. She continued to play piano during the last years of her life at Auburn Manor. Her love of and skill in music were a big part of her legacy.
She was preceded in death by Pearl DeGagne (mother), Arthur DeGagne ( father), Margaret Dobmeier (sister), and David Paul McLaurin ( son).
She is survived by her sister Charlotte Keller ( John); her sons Mark McLaurin ( Nancy Wendler), James McLaurin Jr. (Jeannie), and John McLaurin ( Ruth); her daughters Mary McLaurin (Julie Marcus), Debra McLaurin ( Laura Giampiccolo), Jane Fontaine , Lisa Nilsson ( Chad), Amy Wozniczka ( Jeff Bieber), Judy Stein ( Bob), and Joy McLaurin ( Tom Parker); her grandchildren Emily Comstock, Sydney Wozniczka, Derrek Stein, Anthony Stein, Molly Nilsson, Aaron McLaurin ( Alexis), David McLaurin , Anna Henderson (Bill), Bethany Chambers ( Ben), Jana Jackson (Eric), and Jamie Slie (Benjamin); her great grandchildren Genesis, Jackson & Canaan Slie , Gianna McLaurin, Benjamin & Isaac Jackson, Adrianna, Logan, Molly McLaurin, Billy, Eddie, Killian, Chad, Samantha, Isaac Chambers, and Jessie; her brother-in-law Donald Dobmeier (Margaret –deceased); and her many nieces and nephews.
A private family memorial service and burial will take place in Harvey ND.