Services for Aurel Parenteau

Aurel Parenteau, 89, of Brooks, MN died peacefully with family members by his side on Saturday, December 16, 2017 at Essentia Health Care Living Center in Fosston, MN.

 

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, December 22, 2017 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Brooks, MN with Father Chuck Huck presiding and Father Bob Schreiner concelebrating.  Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Brooks, MN.

 

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service on Thursday, December 21, 2017 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Brooks, MN.  Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the funeral mass.  

 

Aurel Joseph Parenteau was born on July 3, 1928 in the back of the cheese factory in Brooks, MN, the son of Aurelius and Della (Perusse) Parenteau.  Aurel spent most of his 89 years in Brooks, until, due to health reasons, he moved to Poplar Meadows Assisted Living in McIntosh, MN, and finally Essentia Living Care in Fosston, MN.

 

Aurel attended grade school in Brooks, and then prep school at St. John’s University.  He returned to Brooks to work at the Brooks Cheese Factory with his dad.

 

On September 24, 1948, Aurel was united in marriage to Gloria Hanson.  He managed the cheese factory from 1960-1980.  He and Gloria went to Cochabamba, Bolivia, South America to teach cheese making 1983-1984.  Aurel worked various jobs after that, including mowing for the city of Brooks until he had to retire due to health reasons.  He took pride in making the city look great.

 

Aurel enjoyed golfing, ice fishing, dancing, politics, computers, NFL football and spreadsheets.  He was Mayor of Brooks 1961-1968 and was active in politics, being a delegate to the National Republican Convention in 1960.

 

Those left to miss his quick wit and warm heart are his wife: Gloria, McIntosh, MN; children: Mike (Donna) Parenteau, Walla, Walla, WA, Patti (Clair) Thompson, Mentor, MN & Lake Havasu City, AZ, Tom (Diane) Parenteau, Maple Grove, MN, Steve (Vickey) Parenteau, Grand Forks, ND, Joe (Carol) Parenteau, Thornton, CO; grandchildren: Jason (Darbie), Eric (Lauren), Aaron (Nicole), Beau, Addison, Jay, and Alicia (Rob); great-grandchildren: Wyatt, Anders, Audrina, Talia, Harper and Brooks; brother:  Marc (Yvonne) Parenteau; sisters:  Ione (Jack) Brooks, MaryLou (Lamont) Deaver and Nancy (Chuck) Stridde; and many other relatives and friends.

 

Aurel is preceded in death by his parents; sisters: Jeanne & Betty; brothers-in-law: Earl Gramer & Pat Howe; and sister-in-law: Connie Parenteau.

 

Aurel touched the lives of many people with his love for golf scrambles and football pools.  He will be greatly missed.  Special thanks to caring staff at Poplar Meadows and Essentia.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Esentia Home Health & Hospice, Fosston, MN or St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Brooks, MN or a charity of your choice.

 

Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com