KENNETH F. "DUKE" LA BERGE's Obituary
KENNETH F. “DUKE” LA BERGE, age 60, of 4 N. Main St. L’Anse, MI. died unexpectedly but peacefully at his home Thursday, October 21, 2004. He was the first born of Kenneth and Barbara “Babs” (LeDuc) LaBerge arriving on April 4, 1944 in his grandparent’s home on Broad St. in L’Anse. Duke graduated from L’Anse High School in 1962 and attended barber school in Detroit soon after. He practiced barbering with his grandfather in L’Anse. Duke married Kathleen “Bridget” Watters on October 9, 1966. He entered the field of social services as a support specialist and worked in Baraga, Houghton, Ironwood and Ontonagon Counties. He transferred to lower Michigan and also worked in Lansing, MI. Duke retired in 1999 but went back to work for private companies for a few years. He was currently retired and enjoyed being at his property on Second Sand Beach. Duke had an adventurous spirit and his many adventures included motorcycling, golfing, traveling, snorkeling, skydiving, swimming and building sand castles at Second Sand Beach with his grandchildren. He was also an extraordinary bugle player, marching with the state champion Golden Eagles, the Ishpeming Blue Notes, the Hawthorne Caballeros and the Chicago Royailaires. Duke was also a member of the L’Anse Fire Department for many years and was a life long area resident.
Duke is survived by his mother, Barbara “Babs” LaBerge of Marquette, MI.; wife, Bridget, two children, Jacqueline (Ben) Leiker of Vulcan, MI. and David (Julie) LaBerge of Bonduel, WI.; five grandchildren, Katherine and Gabrielle Leiker and Mitchell, Matthew and Jessica LaBerge; two brothers, Paul LaBerge of Pelkie, MI. and Peter LaBerge (Mona) of Big Bay, MI.; three sisters, Jackie (Pat) Chamberlain of Skanee, MI., Margaret (Ken) Peterson of Ishpeming, MI., and Mary Jane LaBerge of San Pablo, CA. Numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends also survive. He was so well loved by so many. He was preceded in death by his father, in 1998, his brother Tom and 1 nephew.
Funeral services for Mr. LaBerge were held at 11 a.m. Monday, October 25, 2004 from the Reid Funeral Service and Chapel, L’Anse. Interment will follow. Friends called at the funeral chapel on Sunday evening October 24, 2004, from 6 until 8 p.m. and for 1 hour prior to the service on Monday at the funeral chapel. Following Monday’s service the family invited friends to join them for fellowship and a luncheon in the Harrington gathering room, located at the funeral home.
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