FUNERAL SERVICES : 1:00 P.M. on Monday, April 27, 2009 at the Hubbard United Methodist Church in Hubbard, MN with Reverend Gary Walpole officiatingVISITATION : 4-7 P.M. on Sunday, April 26, 2009 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral HomeINTERMENT : Greenlawn Cemetery in Verndale, MNSURVIVORS : Louise will be lovingly remember by her sisters, Lucile Lieder of Park Rapids and Marge (Harold) Goepferd of Bertha, MN; sisters-in-law, Edith (Dale) Pike of Park Rapids; brother-in-law, Leonard LaBonte of Park Rapids; as well as many dear nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends. LOUISE SOWDER LABONTE September 8, 1928 ~ April 22, 2009 Louise Sowder LaBonte, age 80 of Park Rapids, MN formerly of Menahga, MN, passed away on Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at the Heritage Living Center in Park Rapids, MN. Louise was born on September 8, 1928 to Clint and Lydia (Ashby) Sowder in Verndale, MN. Louise attended school in Verndale graduating from Verndale High School with the class of 1946. She and her twin sister Lucile went on to attend Normal School for teachers in Staples for one year before beginning a teaching career that spanned more than 35 years. Louise and Lucile took their first teaching job at the same small two room school house. Louise continued her schooling, taking summer classes and attending night school at Bemidji State College eventually earning her Bachelor of Science Degree. Louise met her husband Jack LaBonte at the Hubbard Church and they courted for over three years. During his last year of college Jack wrote to Louise twice each day. Louise and Jack were united in marriage on June 10, 1948 at the Calvary Methodist Church in Minneapolis, MN. They lived in Medford, MN, Thief River Falls, MN and St. Cloud, MN. Louise taught elementary classes, mostly the third grade in Medford, Thief River Falls and Rockville. In 1981 she and Jack retired to 1st Crow Wing Lake near Park Rapids, where they enjoyed the next 18 years together. They moved to Summerfield Place in Park Rapids and then in November, after Jack"s death, Louise moved to Heritage Living Center in Park Rapids. Louise had a green thumb. She grew beautiful house plants and a wonderful garden for all to enjoy. She passed many hours doing crafts including knitting, crocheting and needlepoint on plastic canvas. She made intricate churches from plastic canvas with music boxes inside that are cherished by those who received them. She was a member Hubbard United Methodist Church where she was active in the choir for many years. Louise belonged to the Retired Teachers Association and the William Larson American Legion Auxiliary in Bertha, MN. Louise and her twin sister, Lucile both developed Parkinson"s disease, so, using their talents, they organized a Parkinson"s support group in Wadena where they shared information monthly for several years. Most of all, Louise devoted her life to her beloved husband, Jack whom she loved with all her heart. Louise will be lovingly remember by her sisters, Lucile Lieder of Park Rapids and Marge (Harold) Goepferd of Bertha, MN; sisters-in-law, Edith (Dale) Pike of Park Rapids; brother-in-law, Leonard LaBonte of Park Rapids; as well as many dear nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Jack in 2002; brother-in-law, John Lieder; and sister-in-law, Hazel LaBonte. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Monday, April 27, 2009 at the Hubbard United Methodist Church in Hubbard, MN with Reverend Gary Walpole officiating. Visitation will be held from 4-7 P.M. on Sunday, April 26, 2009 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids, MN. Acitve Casketbearers will be: Wayne Goepferd, Allen Tramm, Philip Tramm, Tim Tramm, Arden LaBonte, Edward LaBonte, Sam Pike, and Donald Pike. Honorary casketbearers will be all of Louise"s family and friends. Interment will be made in the Greenlawn Cemetery in Verndale, MN. Arrangements provided by the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids, MN.