Madelynne "Maddy" Eleanor LesSard

Mrs. Madelynne “Maddy” LesSard of Rush City; died Monday (2/23/15) at Golden Living Center of Rush City at the age of 94 years. Madelynne Eleanor Pepin was born on February 1, 1921 to Joseph and Martha (Lahart) Pepin. A beautiful spiritual lady, Maddy has been a blessing to so many through her 94 years. She truly loved life and all that it encompassed---her faith, family, friends, work, and hobbies which allowed her creative side to blossom. She also loved entertaining family and friends and was a true sports enthusiast, especially following the Twins and Timberwolves. Maddy lived all of her 94 years in Rush City, except for the 10 months after she married Chester LesSard on December 22, 1941. Chet was in the military and stationed in South Carolina and she moved to be with him until he was deployed to Europe. Maddy and Chet were married for 46 years until he passed away in 1987. They had 5 children: Colette, Colleen, Caryl, Mark and Camy. Maddy loved high school and was very involved in playing basketball, ice skating, choir and band. In fact, when the band director had a heart attack, she took over as the student director for many weeks. Upon graduating from high school, she started working for Dr. Olson’s Dental practice. Maddy wanted to become a certified dental assistant, so she took several 6 week courses at the University in both Minneapolis and Duluth. After completing the courses, she was licensed to be a chair side operator and could work in any state in the Union. She took continuing education courses during her career to keep her license. Maddy was a member of the East Central Dental Assisting association and worked for both Dr. Olson and Dr. Guptil and loved going to work every day of the 30 years she worked for them. Maddy was baptized, confirmed and married at Sacred Heart Church in Rush City. Sacred Heart Church was always important to Maddy even from the time she was a young girl. She was very involved with the CCW and had served as a past president. She also was a Religious Ed teacher for high school students. With her church connection and deep faith, she truly bloomed where she was planted. Maddy was a very contented person and had a wonderful positive attitude. She always looked at the bright side rather than the negative. Maddy’s life exemplified the “fruit of the spirit” with peace and kindness at her core. Many people spend their entire lives searching for peace and with Maddy it was always there. Maddy enjoyed nourishing her Catholic faith with frequent television programs on EWTN. Maddy’s family was very important to her and she loved them dearly. She was especially thrilled during this past summer when most of her grandkids came to visit her. The phone calls from her kids and grandkids were a real treasure to her; she enjoyed being “connected” to everyone she cared about so much. She also loved the home she and her husband, Chet, shared together for so many years and was comforted that Camy came every day to check on her so she could remain in her home up until this past fall. Maddy had many friends of all ages and in her later years, when her vision deteriorated, she spent hours playing those memories over in her mind. She said that these memories made a GREAT movie which she replayed as she gave thanks for her blessed life. Maddy enjoyed many home hobbies that included sewing, collecting dolls, knitting, painting, crocheting, and entertaining with great Christmas and holiday parties. She loved to cook for crowds. Maddy said that she had “sewed many miles in her life”. As a young girl, she was given clothing from Mrs. Ordner and she would recreate a coat or other garment for herself. She created clothing for her kids, for herself, sewed drapes, window treatments, and even reupholstered furniture. Maddy belonged to several clubs over her 94 years in Rush City which included knitting club, TP—(sewed or knitted for the evening and in the later years they played cards), was a member of American Legion Auxiliary for over 50 years and a current member, Rush City Women’s Club and the Sacred Heart Council of Catholic Women. Maddy and Chet had many opportunities for travel. They wintered in Port Charlotte, Florida for 8 years and also attended most of the annual National Postmasters Conventions in many states. They owned a cabin on Rush Lake from 1965 to 1983 where she delighted in the opportunities to entertain friends and family. Maddy liked the quote by Erma Bombeck that states “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I have not a single bit of talent left, and could say,” I used everything you gave me”. Maddy LesSard is survived by her children Colette Mukinka and her husband William of Kenya, Africa, Collleen LesSard and husband Bob Cedergren of Blaine, Mark LesSard of Hawley, Cammy Just and husband Randy of Rush City, 9 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and her son-in-law Clarence Larson and wife Audrey of Rush City. Maddy is preceded by her parents Paul and Martha “Mattie” Pepin, Husband Chet LesSard, Daughter Caryl Larson and siblings Leola (Glyn) Boda and Irene (Les) Perizzo. Father Xavier Thellacott will celebrate a Mass of Christian burial for Maddy this thursday 10:30 am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Rush City with a time of visitation wednesday evening from 5-8 pm at the Olson Chapel in Rush City. A spring interment is planned in the Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN. Funeral arrangements for Maddy LesSard (Mrs. Chet LesSard) of Rush City area are entrusted to the: Funeral and Cremation Service of Rush City; Olson Chapel. www.funeralandcremationservice.com