Longtime Escalon resident, Minnie Laugero, who was living at Dale Commons in Modesto, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2017. Minnie was born in Santa Cruz on April 4, 1916, where she lived with her parents, Angelo and Margherita Franceschetti. When Minnie was just two years old, the family moved to Escalon. Minnie attended Escalon Elementary School and Escalon High School where she graduated “with honors” in 1934. Her “commencement memories” book from her senior year in high school included her comments about her hopes and plans for the future to which she wrote, “always do a little more than my duty and my hope is for a good job.” It was during Minnie’s senior year that she met Fred Laugero and they were married on Nov. 24, 1934. They had three children, Shirley, Stan and Doug. In 1945, Minnie found that “good job” when she was hired by Escalon Packers. She worked for Escalon Packers and Escalon Premier Brands (Heinz) for 65 years, retiring in 2010 at the age of 94. Among Minnie’s community honors was her selection as Grand Marshal of the Escalon Park Fete Parade in 2001. Also Minnie was a longtime parishioner of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. As a member of St. Patrick’s parish, Minnie joined the YLI (Young Lady’s Institute). Minnie was elected the first president of the St. Patrick’s YLI.
Minnie’s favorite thing to do was to visit with her family. She especially enjoyed talking with her children and their spouses, her eight grandchildren and her 14 great grandchildren. Minnie (called “Noni” by her grandchildren and great grandchildren) enjoyed attending as many of their activities as she could. She was so proud of all of them.
Minnie is preceded in death by her husband, Fred Laugero and her daughter Shirley Knox. She is survived by her sons, Stan and Doug (Judy), her son in law, Kirvin Knox (Jan), her eight grandchildren: Kathy Wimmer (Mark), Caroline Knox, Leslie Cousineau (Jim), Greg Laugero (Pam), Jeff Laugero (Irene), Steve Laugero (Celia), Kevin Laugero (Lara), Amie Kerr (Mike), and her 14 great grandchildren.
Deegan Funeral Chapels is honored to serve the Laugero family. A vigil service is scheduled for Thursday, Jan 26 at 6 p.m. at Deegan Funeral Chapel in Escalon. A funeral mass is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 27 at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church followed by a reception at the parish hall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made, in memory of Minnie, to Modesto Community Hospice Foundation: 4368 Spyres Way, Modesto, CA, 95356 or to a favorite charity.

The Escalon (Calif.) Times
Jan. 25, 2017