Lucille Kane

Lucille E. Kane, age 92 of Sauk Centre, died Thursday, February 7, 2008 at St. Michael's Nursing Home in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, February 11 at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. Rev. James Statz will officiate with interment following in Calvary Cemetery.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday and from 8 to 10 a.m. Monday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre. Parish prayers will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday evening at the funeral home.

Lucille was born October 5, 1915 in Brown's Valley, Minnesota to Frank and Clara (Roerig) Toelle. She graduated from Brown's Valley High School and on December 2, 1939 she married Joseph Kane in Hibbing, Minnesota. Together they were blessed with five children and enjoyed 29 years of marriage until Joseph's untimely passing in 1968.Lucille became a pioneer in the fuel hauling industry as one of very few women transportation entrepreneurs, when she and Joseph founded Kane Transport in 1949. Following Joseph's death, she continued to operate the company on her own, until her four sons joined her in the business in the mid-1970's. It was under her visionary leadership that Kane Transport was positioned to become one of the largest liquid bulk carriers in Minnesota today. Although Lucille officially retired at the age of 65, she continued to work part-time in the office until her mid-80's.In addition to the pride and joy she felt for operating her transportation business, Lucille enjoyed many other community activities and personal hobbies. She was a member of the Business and Professional Women's group and the American Legion Post 67 Auxiliary. A very involved member of Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church, she sang in the church choir and was active in the Christian Mothers.Lucille also loved to shop and watch sporting events, including Gopher basketball, Twins baseball, and any sports her grandchildren were involved in. Farming was also of special interest to her and Lucille enjoyed visiting her farm in central Minnesota during crop season to watch the crops progress.

Survivors include her children, Claren, Robert and wife, Gail, and Michael and wife, Roxanne, all of Sauk Centre; daughters-in-law, Marge (Bob) Brower and Sue (Vern) Beckerman; 11 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Joseph; sons, Thomas in 1999 and David in 1985; grandson, Andrew; and half-sister, Marie Zelner.

Serving as casket bearers will be Paul, Dr. Jon, Joe, Matt, Peter, Patrick, and Marty Kane. Honorary bearers will be Ann Neubert, Jeanne Metzger, Angela Haas, Maggie Kane, Harold Halverson, and George Kortan. Cross bearer will be Colleen Kane-Rood and scripture bearer will be Allyson Kane.

Memorials are preferred to Holy Family School or St. Michael's Hospital Foundation.