Althea LaFrance, 102, of Cando, ND formerly of Devils Lake and Perth, ND passed away Friday, November 7, 2014 at the Towner County Living Center in Cando, ND. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 15, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Devils Lake, ND with Pastor Kevin Kaufmann officiating. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will on November 15, 2014 at 4:15 p.m. at the Rolla City Cemetery in Rolla, ND. Music will be provided by Lynda Pearson and Donovan Foughty. Casket bearers will be Royce Johnston, Rob Peterson, Gary Christofferson, Rick LaFrance, Darren Odegaard and Dean Fandrich.

Althea Bernice (Johnston) La France was born August 18, 1912 to Richard and Fern (Foughty) Johnston in Rolette County. She was the oldest of 9 children. Althea attended school in Rolla, North Dakota graduating in May of 1930. She married Clinton LaFrance January 4, 1932 in Rolla. This union was blessed with 4 children, Robert, Shirley, Peggy and Carol Sue. Clinton and Althea made their home in rural Perth where they farmed until they retired in September 1976. They moved to rural Devils Lake at this time. Althea lived there until she moved to Park Place Apartments in Devils Lake in 2009. She moved to the Towner County Living Center in 2012 and resided there until the time of her death.
Althea was affectionately known by most as "Chub" in the Perth and Rolla area. Althea enjoyed living and working on the farm. The fall of the year you would find her in the field doing the swathing. She had a passion for working on the election board for Monroe Township while living on the farm. She continued her efforts working for the election board when she and Clinton moved to Devils Lake. It was of great pride that she cast her ballot in the election of 2014. Althea was a Tupperware dealer for many years. She enjoyed curling for recreation and did so for many years in Rolla. Following Clinton's death Althea enjoyed doing some traveling, spending time in California and Colorado.
Althea continued to make her home in rural Devils Lake following Clinton's death taking great pride in doing her own mowing, painting, gardening as well as climbing onto her roof to fix it at 90 years old. She had a very independent spirit and a strong opinion that she wasn't afraid to share.
Althea is survived by her daughter Peggy (Lloyd) Smithey, 9 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and 7 great-great-grand-children, sisters Dorothy and Donnie, several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her son Robert, her daughter Shirley Peterson, and infant daughter Carol Sue, 4 sisters and 2 brothers.