Rose Lahaie

Rose LaHaie, 96, passed peacefully into eternal life Monday, Jan. 20, 2014 at St. Vincent Healthcare. She had been a resident at Westpark Village in Billings, Montana since 2007, after moving from Michigan to be closer to her daughter and son-in-law. Rose was born in Iron Mountain, Michigan on May 20, 1917 to Italian immigrants Domenic Tedeschi and Letizia (Colavecchi) Tedeschi. The Tedeschi brothers married the Colavecchi sisters and came to Michigan from Capistrano, Italy to work and raise their families. They built a home together, affectionately known as “the white house” and raised their children in a happy, festive and loving household. Rose married Dennis LaHaie in 1952. She waited many years to join him in marriage and 28 years to reunite with him forever in Heaven. They lived in Omro, Wisconsin and later returned home to Iron Mountain. Rose enjoyed a long and rewarding life. Despite many mishaps and medical problems, she was able to rise to challenges and meet them with dignity, perseverance, and a positive attitude. She loved to crochet and made hundreds of Afghans, warming many cold laps and feet. Her occasional trip to the casino was a hopeful and fun adventure, especially when accompanied by her dear friends Joyce Mish or Linda Edwards. The Green Bay Packers have lost one of their biggest fans. Rose would make the pilgrimage to Green Bay to watch the games, often in the bitter cold, and enjoy the fine Wisconsin cuisine in the form of bratwurst sandwiches. She was an excellent cook and continued to make homemade pasta and Italian cookies until a few days before her death. She taught many generations in her family the art and secrets of Italian cooking, and those who called her “Auntie Rosie” or “Grandma Rosie” will carry on those traditions. Her faith was always important to her and as a Catholic was devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary. She would often call upon Her to help her beloved Packers or Michigan State Spartans as she watched the ballgames with her rosary clutched in her small hands. After Rose was widowed she lived with and was preceded in death by her cousin Marge VanMieghem. Marge, her son Dale, his wife Diane and their wonderful son Ken, daughter Nancy and their families were a very important part of and source of constant joy in Rose's life. She is survived by her daughter Dr. Patricia LaHaie , Rehabilitation Physician at St. Vincent Healthcare, loving son-in-law Paul Mish and precious grand-dog, Stormy. She is also survived by her cousin Norma (Tedeschi) Christesen and husband Ellis Christesen of Green Bay, Wisconsin, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dennis, in 1985. Brothers Tony Tedeschi, Joseph “Windy” Tedeschi, sister Julia Tedeschi, cousins Marge VanMieghem, Theodore Tedeschi and Rudy Tedeschi also preceded her in death. She flourished and had an excellent quality of life at Westpark Village and she loved Tina Vauthier and the staff and had close friendships with many of the residents. She found her place in a caring and supportive community environment. Rose and her family are also grateful for the compassionate and excellent care provided at St. Vincent Healthcare, particularly under the watchful eye of Dr. Charles McClave. Our close friend and extraordinary nurse, Debbie Emslander also regularly and meticulously tended to Rose. We will all miss this small but mighty woman, but she has left us with countless memories and a legacy of selflessness, faith and kindness. Service: Cremation has taken place. Funeral services and burial will take place at a later date in Iron Mountain, Michigan.