Mary Barlage

Mary Lou Barlage of Wheaton, MN passed away Sunday, March 12th, 2006 at Merticare Medical Center, Fargo, ND at the age of 64 after fighting a courageous battle against cancer. Mary Lou was born March 4, 1942 to David and Mariana (Sanchez) Tafoya in Cuchillo, NM. She was baptized at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Truth or Consequences, NM on April 11, 1942. Her first Holy Communion was at San Joses Church on July 15, 1950 in Cuchillo. She was later confirmed at Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church, Wheaton. Mary Lou graduated from Wheaton High School in 1960. Soon after, she worked for the Traverse County Sheriff and later was employed for 23 years at the Traverse Care Center as the business office manager until her retirement. On June 24, 1961 she married Eugene Barlage at Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church in Wheaton. They were blessed with two children, Michelle and Michael. She was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church where she energetically participated in several activities. Mary Lou is survived by daughter Michelle(Rich) Norstrom, her beloved grandsons, Reed and Riley, Quakertown, PA, and son Michael, Tucson, AZ. Also surviving is her sister Juella Romero of Lemitar, NM, and mother-in-law Vivian Barlage, Wheaton. Funeral services were held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Wheaton on Thursday, March 16, 2006 with Pastor Tom Olson officiating. Honorary pallbearers are Pat Peterson, the Ditzy Chicks Red Hat Ladies, and her Birthday Club. Pallbearers are Dean Gallup, Dale Spafford, Russell Henry, Denny Sykora, Ron Lichtsinn, and Roger Schmidt. She was preceded in death by her husband Gene, father-in-law Edward, parents David and Mariana, sisters Neomi Armijo and Rose Tafoya, grandparents, aunts and uncles. Private family internment will be held at a later date at Wildwood Cemetery, Wheaton. Ranney Funeral Home of Wheaton was in charge of funeral arrangements. During her lifetime Mary Lou enjoyed golfing, bowling, darts, shopping and traveling with Pat, monthly Birthday Club meetings and outings with the Ditzy Chicks Red Hat Ladies. She enjoyed gardening, cooking, attending plays and concerts, and entertaining. Most of all, she and Genie loved their years of having so many fun times with their friends, their children and their grandsons.