Lena LaRue
Lena LaRue, 79, formally of Bagley, Minnesota passed away on Friday, July 10, 2026, with her family by her side at Vitality Assisted Living in Upsala, Minnesota.
Services will be held on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. at Grace Chapel South of Bagley, Minnesota with Pastor Chris Conger officiating. A visitation will take place at the church from 10:00 a.m.- 11:30 a.m. prior to the service. Interment will be held at Nora Township Cemetery in Bagley, Minnesota.
The Cease Family Funeral Home of Bagley assisted the family with arrangements.
Lena Marie Netland was born on April 24, 1947, in Bagley, Minnesota, to Wallert and Myrtle (Erickson) Netland. Lena was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran Faith. She grew up with eight other siblings on the Netland Farm south of Bagley. She attended Nora Township Country School and graduated from Bagley High School in 1965. On June 11, 1966, Lena married Lewis LaRue. They made their home south of Bagley, MN with their six children, where they farmed and milked cows. Lena worked for over 25 years at Itasca State Park.
Lena and Lewis moved closer to Bagley in 2008, when they retired. They enjoyed spending winters down in Arizona with family and friends but not until after the holidays. Christmas time was spent with her children and grandchildren, that was very important to her. She made sure every grandchild that was born had a homemade baby quilt and for graduation made them tie blankets. Just this last winter Lena tried teaching her girls again the art of making fine Lefse… “It’s safe to say they still need more practice!” Lena liked traveling whether just going for a drive or over the road trucking with Lewis. Lena was never afraid of working and always had to be doing something. She enjoyed crocheting, knitting, refurbishing furniture, cooking, baking, playing cards, dancing, garage saling and thrifting with her sisters and sisters-in-law.
After Lewis passed away in 2011, Lena was blessed with Bud Skogen coming into her life. They shared many of the same friends and family as Bud has always been apart of the extended family circle and so he fit right in with us. Her life continued to be filled with get-togethers, card parties, going to Pioneer Days, and if there was good music to listen to somewhere she loved to go. Lena relished having company come over for cake and coffee visits and if you got her on the phone, you had better figure you’ll be on the phone for over an hour as she loved to visit.
She moved to Vitality Assisted Living in Upsala, MN last May as her dementia had progressed. When Lena was diagnosed with dementia her speech wasn’t like it was before, but she could understand and hear everything you said. She looked forward to Bud’s daily calls and hearing from family and friends; she cherished their visits. Lena had a contagious laugh but wasn’t afraid to show authority. She treasured spending time with her children and grandchildren who were her pride and joy.
We are so thankful for all the support and visits mom received this past year. It meant the world to her and so much to us that you took the time to include her in your lives. We can never thank Bud enough for the love and comfort that he gave mom. We are so blessed that he entered her life and ours as well.
As Mom would say… “Come & see me soon”
She is survived by her children:
Lester (Nancy) LaRue of Bagley, MN; Lynette (Kenny) Smieja of Burtrum, MN
Lisa (Dennis) Goebel of Rockville, MN; Larry (Mary Beth) LaRue of Burtrum, MN
Lois LaRue of Little Falls, MN; John (Jamie) LaRue of Park Rapids, MN
18 Grandchildren and 8 Great-Grandchildren
Special Friend- Bud Skogen of Shevlin, MN
Sister-Lillian Rolf of Bagley, MN; and Brother-Larry (Karla) Netland of Bagley, MN
Uncle-Roger Erickson of Grand Rapids, MN.
Numerous Nieces and Nephews
She was proceeded in death by her parents, her husband Lewis; brothers-Wayne Netland and Harley Netland; Sisters-Myrtle Netland, Andrea Lundin and Marlys Blooflat;
Father & Mother in-law-William & Coila LaRue
Messages of condolence may be sent to ceasefuneralhome.com