Laura Housman

Laura A. Housman, age 87 died Sunday, July 13, 2003 from natural causes at the Pine Villa Care Center in Melrose.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 16 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose. Rev. Vincent Lieser will officiate. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery in Litchfield.

Friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and from 8 to 10 a.m. Wednesday at Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Christian Mothers rosary and parish prayers will be at 8 p.m. Tuesday evening.

Laura Housman was born on July 27, 1915 in Forest City, Minnesota to Charles and Gertrude (Miller) Gilman. She married Clifford B. Housman on April 14, 1934 in Darwin, Minnesota. After their marriage the couple lived in Forest City for 2 years, Litchfield from 1936 to 1957, and Faribault for 1 year. The couple transferred to Melrose in 1958 due to her husband's employment (USDA Food Inspector). She enjoyed reading, cooking, visiting with family and friends. Laura prided herself in offering a meal to any family and friend who walked thru her open door. Her generous heart kept her warm kitchen alive with her stories and great cooking. Her faith was strong and she would say her job was never done; there was always someone to pray for. Laura was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose and the Christian Mothers.

Survivors include her children, JoAnne Shannon (Glenn) of Willmar, Elaine Yungk (Dale) of Litchfield, Robert Housman (Ionne) of San Antonio, Texas, Joyce Rademacher (Gerald) of Melrose, Mary Peterson (Stanley) of Atwater, Burton Housman (Karen) of Brooklyn Park, Angie Loecken (Chuck) of St. Joseph, Jim Housman (special friend, Lupita Patrick) of Melrose; 36 grandchildren; 45 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandsons; brother, Lawrence Gilman (Mona) of Minneapolis; sister, Dorothy Pennertz of Litchfield.

Laura was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Clifford Housman on April 1, 1992; daughter, Beverly Housman; brother, Carlton Gilman; sisters, Evelyn Jost and Lois Shaw.

Serving as casket bearers will be Nathan Housman, Michael Wick, Al Casperson, John Peterson, William Yungk, Joseph Housman, Andrew Rademacher and Scott Housman. Serving as cross bearer will be JoAnne Pogue and scripture bearer will be Jill Loecken.In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society.