LaMoine Everett MacLaughlin

LaMoine was a poet, a son, a brother, a Boy Scout, a student at Holy Cross Seminary, a graduate of UW-Eau Claire, a pioneer of non-traditional education, and a folk singer.

LaMoine was a poet, a devoted husband, a proud father and grandfather, a lifelong Wisconsinite, a resident of rural Clayton, a lover of Lake Magnor, a fan of everything Scottish, an addict of cookies, and a critic of anything that wasn't his idea.

LaMoine was a poet, a champion of the arts, a teacher of music, a gifted singer, a talented performer, a co-founding director of the Northern Lakes Center for the Arts in Amery, an editor of the Hometown Gazette, a mentor of rural Wisconsin community arts organizations, a poet laureate, an author of six poetry books, and an advocate for everyone to read poetry.

LaMoine was a poet, part of an inseparable entity, unable to live without his life partner and muse, Mary Ellen.

LaMoine was preceded in death by his beloved wife of sixty years, Mary Ellen; parents LaMoine and Helen; infant sisters Trudy and Judy; brother Clarence Knudson; in-laws Dave Gilles, Judge Joseph and Madalyn Riedner, Fred Conlin, Bob and Betty Riedner, and Mike Hentz; and his favorite poets Robert Burns, Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, William Shakespeare, Walt Whitman, Dylan Thomas, James Wright, Pi Kielty, the list could go on and on . . .

LaMoine is survived by daughters Mary (husband Steve Berry), Karen, and Louie; grandson Ean; brother Tom; sister Helen Gilles; sisters-in-law Rita Conlin, Rosie Hentz, and Carol (husband Kelly) Hepler; nephews Ken (wife Ruth) and Kevin (wife Esther) Knudson; many other nephews, nieces, friends, and countless students with whom he nurtured a love of music, writing, and poetry. LaMoine's majestic voice, in harmony with Mary Ellen, now silent, will be missed by many.

A gathering will be held Sunday, February 15, from 2:00-4:00pm at Amery Ale Works, 588 115th Street, Amery, WI or join online here. An opportunity to share memories, poems or thoughts will start at 3:00pm. LaMoine and Mary Ellen will be buried together at Forest Hill Cemetery in Eau Claire at a later date.

LaMoine was a poet, he might enjoy this:

LaMoine the poet tried to write
but he was torn apart.
When Mary Ellen rowed at noon
he had a broken heart.
His gift to all: Encouragement!
Just sing! Just play! Just write!
With Mary Ellen now they sing
sweet songs all through the night.
On bonnie banks or in Tralee
as time and space rescind,
now holding one another close,
they ride upon the wind.

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