Margaret Rose Perreault

Margaret Rose Toohey was born March 5, 1915. On August 19, 1920, she was adopted by Emma Noesen of Crookston, Minnesota. Lovingly known as Rose to her family and friends, she grew up and attended school in Crookston. As a teenager she worked at the local hospital cooking and baking pies. In the fall of 1937, Rose met Louis Perreault at a dance. They were married six months later, on February 21, 1938, at the Cathedral in Crookston. It was -40 degrees on their wedding day. They made their first home on a farm Louis purchased from his father in the Terrabonne, MN area. In May of 1949, they moved to Rush City, Minnesota and purchased the Aladdin Theater. Louis became a sales representative for the Fuller Brush Company and sold products door-to-door in Chisago County and several surrounding communities. Eventually the theater was closed and then became a home to Rose and Louie and their children. In 1963, the St. Paul Pioneer Press received word of the theater becoming a home and did a write up in their newspaper. They felt it was truly a touching story of one small town family’s ethics and hard work. Life was always busy around the Perreault household; however, Rose and Louie enjoyed many camping and fishing trips with family and friends. In later years they packed their motor home and spent the winter months in the warmer part of western United States. Eventually, they opted to stay in Rush City during the winter and enjoyed the comforts of their own home. In February 2003, Rose and Louie were honored as the longest married couple in Rush City; sixty-five years and still going strong! Rose was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Rush City, enjoyed visiting with family and friends over coffee and rolls, an occasional trip around Minnesota and the annual Perreault Family Christmas Party. Rose died July 19, 2009 at the Lakeside Medical Center in Pine City Minnesota, having reached the age of 94 years. She is survived by her husband of 71 years, Louis, and her children: Robert & Arlyce Perreault of Grand Rapids, MN, Janyce Olsen, Lawrence & Rosemary Perreault, and Marlene & Jack Doenz, all of Pine City, Ruth & Harold Washenbecker of Rock Creek, MN, Gordon & Sandy Perreault of Rush City, MN, Gary & Kathy Perreault of Dallas, TX, Michael & Kathy Perreault of White Bear Lake, MN, William “Jack” & Darcy Perreault of Dallas, TX, Dr. Roger & Linda Perreault of Coon Rapids, MN, Dale Perreault, Jeanne & John Jacobson, Joanne & Steve Waters, Randy & Julie Perreault, all of Rush City, and Dick & Patty Perreault of Harris, MN; 47 grandchildren; 44 great grandchildren, one great great granddaughter; stepsister: Sr. Monica O’Connell, CSJ of Ruckville, Maryland. Rose is preceded in death by her grandson Eric Doenz, son-in-law George “Bud” Olson, stepsisters, Ellen O’Connell, Sr. Marie Genevieve O’Connell, CSJ, Sr. Justin O’Connell, CSJ. and step-brother Bill “Joe” Noesen. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 23, 2009 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Rush City with Fr. Ralph Huar presiding. Music will be provided by Nancy Sterk and Paula Belland. Casket bearers will include some of Rose’s grandchildren. The interment will be in the Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Rush City. A time of visitation and reviewal is planned for Wednesday evening from 4-7 p.m. at the Olson Chapel in Rush City and one hour prior to the Mass at Sacred Heart Church. Memorials are preferred to the Sacred Heart Church and the Father Flannigan’s Boy’s Town in Nebraska.