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Lucy Fitzgerald, 89, passed away on October 21, 2024, while under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley. Lucy was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s dementia in December 2022, moved into assisted living the next month and was transferred to the nursing home in August 2024.
Lucy was born on July 23, 1935, to Albert and Alice (Hebert) Gagner. She graduated from Mentor Public School in 1953, and moved to Fargo, ND. Her first job in Fargo was at Herbst department store.
On February 11, 1956, Lucy married Ronald “Ronnie” Fitzgerald, after meeting on a blind date. Ronnie and Lucy started Fitzgerald Construction Company in 1957, and in 1959 they purchased a bar in Sabin, MN, renaming it Ronnie’s Bar. They owned several other companies including G & M Carriers and Sabin Hardware. Lucy was the bookkeeper for their various businesses, until her retirement in 1997. After her retirement, Lucy kept busy with volunteer work at MeritCare Gift Shop, Catholic Daughters, Hospice of the Red River Valley, and St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. She also served on the Sabin City Council.
Lucy is survived by her daughter, Karen (Dan) Jacobsen; sons, Mike (Heidi) Fitzgerald, Frank (John) Fitzgerald, and Brad (Tammy) Fitzgerald; seven grandchildren, Chad, Krysta, Matt, Ryan, Adam, Meghan, and Kate; five great-grandchildren, Eloise, Madison, Rory, Summer, and Oakley; in-laws, Ann Gagner, Merle Gagner, and Roger Shaffer. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ronnie; parents, Albert and Alice Gagner; siblings, infant Lloyd Gagner, Melvin (Mary) Gagner, Hilaire “Buck” (Florence) Gagner, Herby “Pete” (Mary) Gagner, Mary Rose Shaffer, Andrew “Don” Gagner, Ida (John) Anderson, Elizabeth (Stan) Ackerson, and Duane “Mike” Gagner.
Lucy’s family would like to sincerely thank Hospice of the Red River Valley for their thoughtful care. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Hospice of the Red River Valley.
Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M., followed by the prayer service at 7:00 P.M., Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Moorhead, MN. Visitation will continue from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M., followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at the church. A livestream of the Mass will be available on Lucy’s webpage at www.wrightfuneral.com where a guestbook and video tribute may also be found. Burial will be at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, Moorhead, MN, following the service.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
605 S 2nd Ave, Moorhead, MN 56560
Memories and condolences can be left on the obituary at the funeral home website.
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