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Shirley L. LaBonte

LITTLE LAKE, MI – Shirley Leone LaBonte, age 93, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 13, 2021, at U.P. Health System – Marquette, in the comforting care of her family.

Shirley was born in Marquette, daughter of the late Edward and Leona (Desormier) Rasmussen. She was raised at the Huron Mountain Club in Big Bay, MI, where her parents were both employed. Shirley graduated from Graveraet High School in 1946.

Shirley began working as a telephone operator for Michigan Bell Telephone Company where she met and later married Bernard LaBonte. They established their home in Marquette and had five children to which she became a stay-at-home mom for a time. Later she returned to work at Michigan Bell, working in the employment office and retiring in 1987.

Shirley enjoyed sewing, knitting and biking throughout her life but especially enjoyed being outdoors hiking. As one of the founding members of the local chapter of North Country Trail Hikers, Shirley hiked the NCT across the U.P. She meticulously groomed her assigned trails, even getting on her hands and knees. She hiked and portaged canoes on Isle Royale, which was also one of her fond memories. Her family loved hearing all her stories about growing up, and she had many. Her passion was maintaining the LaBonte Park for many years, which she was instrumental in adopting with the Telephone Pioneers. She enjoyed visiting with the many people who would stop to say hello while she was planting and watering flowers. Shirley also volunteered for the March of Dimes, Bay Cliff and St. Peter Cathedral perpetual adoration.

Shirley was a member of the former St. John the Baptist Church and a member of St. Peter Cathedral, Northern Center for Life Long Learning and former member of the Marquette Choral Society.

Shirley is survived by her four children, Bernadette (Pat) Wallace of Marquette, Julie (Steven) Peterson of Marquette, Mary (Scott) Anderson of Novi, MI and Tim (Donna) LaBonte of Trout Creek, MI, brother, Edward (Mary) Rasmussen of Iron Mountain, MI; sister, Pavie Rasmussen-Donnelly of Marquette; six grandchildren, Patrick (Mandy) Wallace, Gavin (Allison) Wallace, Natalie (Chad) Fuller, Andrea (Javier) Anderson, Kristi Anderson and Stacy Anderson; ten great-grandchildren; and Beth VanDreel – Krznarich, Greg’s fiancee.

Besides her parents, Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Bernard LaBonte; brother, Robert Rasmussen; son, Gregory J. LaBonte; and brother-in-law, Terrence F. Donnelly.

A Celebration of Shirley’s life will be an outdoor Mass on Friday, September 24, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at the Holy Cross Cemetery in Marquette, officiated by Rev. Msgr. Michael Steber.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Shirley’s name to the Northern Michigan University Foundation- Bernard and Shirley LaBonte Memorial Student Scholarship, 1401 Presque Isle Ave., Marquette, MI 49855.

Canale-Tonella Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting the LaBonte family where memories and condolences may be shared at canalefuneral.com.