Marie Lapratt

Marie LaPratt of Caro, age 89, passed away on Saturday, August 10, 2024 at Fisher Senior Care & Rehab Center in Mayville. Marie was born October 1, 1934, the last of fifteen children born to the late Albert & Marie “Loeke” (Houle) Blinke. She lived her entire life on the family homestead and attended a nearby country school before joining Caro High School, graduating with the class of 1952. Following graduation, she began work at Moore Telephone System in Caro. She then found her life’s work as an office manager for Dr. Nigg and Dr. Miles in Caro, and later Dr. Quines and Dr. Ferreira, in a career that spanned more than fifty years, retiring in 2010. She was united in marriage with Frank D. LaPratt on June 12, 1954 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mayville and he preceded her in death on May 10, 1981. Marie was a member of St. Christopher Parish in Caro, and formerly St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mayville and its Women’s Altar Society. She was an avid reader and enjoyed knitting, crocheting, checking in on her Facebook friends, and watching the Gameshow Network. She was a force to be reckoned with if watching Jeopardy or Wheel of Fortune, and rarely missed a Detroit Tigers game, even in their losing seasons. Marie was always young at heart and could shop with unmatched vigor. In her younger years, she enjoyed camping, snowmobiling, and hunting with Frank. She centered her life around family and made lasting connections that filled her home with love, laughter, and togetherness.

Left to cherish Marie’s memory are one grandson and his wife, Jason & Theresa Rae of North Branch; two great-grandchildren, Jacob and Emily Rae of North Branch; son-in-law, Al Rae of Caro; sister-in-law, Lil Guild of Caro; nieces and nephews, Missie & Don Jaster, Jennie & Joe Weissenborn, and Gregg Guild, all of Caro as well as many nieces and nephews on the Blinke side of her family; and her best friend and neighbor of eighty-three years, Gerry Frick of Caro. In addition to her parents and husband, Marie was preceded in death by her daughter, Dale Rae; great-grandson, Isaiah Rae; and brothers-in-law, Gerald Guild and Bernie LaPratt; and her fourteen siblings.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 15, 2024 at St. Christopher Parish, Sacred Heart Church in Caro with Rev. Isaac Madanu officiating. Burial will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Caro. Marie’s family will be present to receive friends at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home in Caro on Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and at the church on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. A Rosary Service will conclude Wednesday’s visitation at the funeral home at 7:30 p.m. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider memorial contributions to the wishes of the family, c/o Jason Rae, 205 West Sherman Street, Caro, MI 48723.