Cecil C. Lade took up permanent residence in his heavenly home on May 22, 2024. He was 24 days from his 89th birthday. Cecil Carl Lade was born on June 15, 1935, to Carl and Ora (Bittner) Lade in Lansford, North Dakota.
He was the 2nd of 5 children. The family farmed in North Dakota until Cecil was 18 when his father purchased a small farm in Eureka Center, WI. He attended the Trade River Evangelical Free Church and gave his life to his Savior Jesus Christ when he was 19. In 1954, Cecil joined the United States Army and was stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska for two years. While in the Army, he received his GED having completed 8th grade in North Dakota. After his discharge, he returned to the Wolf Creek area where he worked for Stanley Jensen on his farm.
Cecil and Eleanor Engstrand were married on December 28, 1957. Two children were born to this union, Deborah and a baby girl that passed away just a few hours after birth.
Cecil started work at McNally Industries in Grantsburg in 1958. Eleanor passed away in January of 1959, and he and Deborah moved to Brooklyn Center, MN, to live with his brother and sister-in-law, Marvin and Louise Lade. He had multiple jobs during this time.
He married Margaret Engstrand on May 25, 1961. Two children were born to this union. Colleen and Craig. The family resided in Fridley, MN, and Cecil worked for the Village of St. Anthony, MN. In 1964, they moved to Brooklyn Center. In 1968, Cecil left the Village of St. Anthony and began working construction with his brother, Marvin, and also doing cabinetry. In 1970, they moved to Elk River, MN. Margaret passed away in July of 1971.
Cecil married Virginia Donals in April of 1973. They moved to Anoka, MN, where they resided until 1986 when Virginia became ill and they sold their home in Anoka. They purchased an RV and spent one winter in Arizona then traveled between their children until Virginia passed away in September of 1988.
Cecil was living in Grantsburg at this time and remained until 1989 when he moved back to Anoka.
Cecil married Karen Papish in September of 1989. They built a home in Elk River, MN, and resided there until 1991 when they purchased a home on Lake Diane in Zimmerman, MN. Cecil continued to build and remodel homes. In July 2015, Karen's health was declining and the home in Zimmerman was sold, and they moved to Bradenton, FL, where she passed away on July 28, 2015.
Cecil remained in Bradenton where he continued to do small remodel and home repair work. He had always dreamed of living in Florida and loved the many flowers in the yard and being able to work outdoors in warm temperatures. He made many friends in the trailer community where he lived.
In November of 2016, he married Virginia Bagando. They shared seven years together.
Cecil passed away on May 22, 2024, due to complications from pneumonia. He is survived by his wife, Virginia; daughters, Deborah (Steve) Christian and Colleen Lade; son, Craig (Mi) Lade; stepdaughters, Teresa (Joe) Larson and Wanda (Roger) Mickelson and stepson, Richard Donais. 13 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Sister, Ellen (Donald) Aldentaler, many nieces and nephews and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents and stepfather, Lawrence Nelson; sisters, Adeline Olson and Sandra Olson; brother, Marvin; wives, Eleanor, Margaret, Virginia and Karen. One daughter and two stepdaughters, Debra Stueve and Suzanne Donais; grandsons, Eric Larson and Andre Mickelson.
Graveside Service will be held 1:30 PM, Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at Sarasota National Cemetery w/military honors. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 26th Street Chapel, 5624 26th Street West, Bradenton, FL 34207, is in charge of arrangements.
