Caren Lois (Wright) Gagne

Caren Lois (Wright) Gagne, 77, of Superior, died Tuesday October 13th at Ecumen Lakeshore, Duluth, under hospice care.

She was born December 3, 1942 in Superior, WI, daughter of Vern and Lorraine Wright.

Caren attended Blaine Elementary, Pattison Junior High, and graduated from Superior Central High School in 1960. It was in high school she met the love of her life, Al Gagne. They went together for seven years before marrying in 1966. They were married for 53 years before Al’s passing earlier this year.

After high school, Caren entered Superior State College, where she graduated in 1965 with a B.S. degree in education. Caren was a member of Lambda Sigma Lambda sorority while in college. Caren began her teaching career in elementary education at Lestor Park Elementary in Duluth, MN. Caren also taught at Cooper School and Central Jr. High in Superior before Al’s career at Hoffman La-Roche took them to Madison, WI, Omaha, NE, Flanders, NJ, and Lakeville, MN. Caren continued her teaching career on a part time basis throughout all the moves across the country. Caren also participated in the sport of curling and took part in the Woman’s National Bonspiel in 1967, bringing home the bronze medal as the skip of the team.

After their son John arrived in 1976, Caren loved her role as mom and sideline cheerleader for his football and baseball events.

As retirement called, so did the Northland. In 2000, they happily returned to Superior to join their life-long friends and family. Al enjoyed golfing at Nemadji golf course and Caren shopping with her friends.

Caren was an avid sports fan and was a die-hard New York Yankees fan as well as the Minnesota Vikings, which caused a house divided on Sundays, as Al was a fan of the Packers.

Al and Caren spent their winter months on the Gulf side of Florida and loved going to Panther Lake in Upstate NY with their son John, daughter-in-law Jenn, and granddaughters, Aiden and Ella.

Caren was a great friend to all that knew her. She will be missed by many; The Birthday Club Ladies, The K-Mart Breakfast Group, and the Friday Night Dinner Crew.

Preceding Caren in death were her loving husband Al, her parents Vern and Lorraine, and her brother Tom Wright.

Survivors include her son John, daughter-in-law Jenn, granddaughters, Aiden and Ella, Liverpool, NY sister Jane (Jack) Krisak, Englewood, FL , and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, or the charity of your choice.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date for both Caren and Al.

Assisting the family with arrangements, Downs Funeral Home, 1617 N 19th Street, Superior. To send an online condolence, please go to www.downsfh.com