Therese Benoit Charrier

Therese Benoit Charrier ,92,of Walhalla, ND passed away on Wednesday, January 9, 2013, at the Cavalier County Memorial Hospital, Langdon, ND. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, January 12, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Boniface Catholic Church, Walhalla. Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 7:00 pm with a 7:00 pm rosary at the church on Friday, January 11th. Burial in the St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery.
Therese Emma Marcotte was born the 13th of 17 children to Irenee and Lea (Fontaine) Marcotte in St. Malo, Manitoba on October 18, 1920. On February 14, 1947, she married Richard Benoit and they farmed near Walhalla. Richard passed away in 1953. Therese moved into town and worked for Ed Lorenz in his insurance agency. This is where she met Louis Charrier. They were married in 1966, and combined their families in Landgon.
She was a skilled bowler, golfer, and bridge player. She and Louis enjoyed traveling and welcoming family and friends to their home. Yearly, the Marcotte sisters would gather and the home would ring with French songs and laughter. Her meat pies, bon bon candies and pickled eggs were renowned! Louis passed away in 1978. In 2001, Therese moved back to Walhalla to an apartment at North Border Estates. Her children and their families, her friends and neighbors continued to enjoy her hospitality and bridge prowess. Regardless of her health challenges, she continued to share her joy and talents. She made countless afghans, dish cloths, slippers, net scrubbers and generously gave them away for fundraisers and to any and all who crossed her threshold.
Survivors include her children: Rochelle (Ron) Fitzsimonds, Payette, ID and Richard (Peggy) Benoit, Langdon, ND; grandchildren: Richard (Taralee) Fitzsimonds and their children: Ashtyn, Kelsey, Brennan, Conner, and McKinley, Payette, ID, Lee (Taunya) Fitzsimonds and their daughter, Lucy Therese, Vancouver, WA; Suzanne (Brian) Stromberg and their children, Benjamin, Madison, and Billie, Carver, MN and Frank Benoit, Grand Forks, ND. She is also survived by her stepchildren: Mary Ellen (Larry) Hatch, Ann (Gene) Dingman, Jane (Ed) Robinson, and stepdaughter-in-law, Roberta Charrier, 12 stepgrandchildren; sister, Rolande (Ed) Hamonic, St. Malo, Manitoba; many nieces and nephews including the children of her sister Germaine, Marc (Shirley) Benoit, Dean (Lynn) Benoit, and Nicole (Rod) Longtin who shared Walhalla living with her; and Karen Fraser who for 11 years helped with household duties, sewing projects, and the joy of life. She is also mourned by many other family members and countless friends. Bonne et heureuse annee, cher Therese!
Preceding her in death were her husbands, parents, fifteen of her siblings, stepchildren, Richard Charrier and Kathy Basaigo; and sisters-in-law, Clarinda Benoit Morin and Doranna Benoit Gratton.
Celebrant: Rev. Fr. Jude Okafor.
Music: LaRae Horgan, Jeannne Gosselin, and Gilles Hebert, Vocalists.
Casket Bearers: Chad Benoit, Frank Benoit, Marcus Benoit, Lee Fitzsimonds, Richard Fitzsimonds, Luke Longtin, and Suzanne Stromberg.