Denise Lagasse

Denise Marie Lagasse, the daughter of Dennis and Beverly (Vandal) Cote was born on December 5, 1968 in Tracy, California. She died peacefully after a short, but strong and courageous battle with cancer with her husband by her side on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at Sanford Hospital in Fargo.

Denise was raised in California until she was 9, then her family moved to Rolla. She graduated from Rolla High School in 1986. She continued her education at NDSU for two years before going to Iowa State, where she received her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education in 1991. While she was in high school, she met the love of her life and on July 22, 1988 she was united in marriage to Richard Lagasse at St. Joachim Catholic Church in Rolla. After her and Rick completed their education, they moved to Devils Lake for a few years. While in Devils Lake, Denise was a substitute teacher and was involved with community theatre. In 1995, the couple moved, made their home and opened a veterinary clinic in Rugby. Denise worked as the business manager and ran the office. The arrival of Michael changed her life and the new role of being a mother was a great joy when they adopted him in 2001 at age 2. She was fortunate to become a stay-at-home mother, raising their child until he began kindergarten. After he started school, she resumed her role at the veterinary clinic as the business manager and accountant.

Denise was a woman strong in her faith, who committed her life to her faith, family and church. As an active member of the Little Flower Catholic Church, she was a member of the Catholic Daughters of the America’s, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, the church choir, a Catholic lector and very active in various ministries at the church. Denise held many officer positions throughout her church memberships. She was also involved in the community theatre, participating in many musicals and sang in the choir. Music was another important part of her life. In her spare time, she enjoyed camping, hiking, playing cards, playing bingo at church on Sunday afternoons and loved traveling. A highlight of her travels was her and Rick going on a pilgrimage with the Bishop to Italy. Denise and Rick loved to go on different cruises, some with just the two of them and others with Michael. Denise was a planner and enjoyed planning their trips, a special trip she planned was a sisters cruise, a time they all cherished. Her family was important and she loved the time they spent together. She lived a blessed life and will be deeply missed.

Denise loved her faith, lived her faith and found strength through her faith. She was a fun, joyful lady with a warm welcoming smile, who made an impact on more than she would ever know. Her joy and love for her family, faith and music shined through and that legacy will go on as she will be forever singing in the choirs.

Denise is survived by her husband, Deacon Rick Lagasse of Rugby; son, Michael (fiancé, Melondy and her daughter, Phoenix); parents, Dennis and Beverly Cote of Rolla; siblings, Tammy Cammack, Kimberly (Jon) Gourneau, Chris (Jen) Cote, Sister Melissa Cote, Kevin (Felicia) Cote, Candice (Matt) Allery and David (Corinna) Cote; sisters-in-law, Virginia Parr, Grace Ouellette, Lorraine Belisle and Pamela Lagasse; brothers-in-law, Charles (Naomi) Lagasse, Armand (Jan) Lagasse and Paul (Wenda) Lagasse; many nieces, nephews; other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her grandparents; brothers-in-law, Albert Lagasse and Beau Cammack and her parents-in-law, Emil and Emma Lagasse.

The funeral will be livestreamed and you can find it when it goes live on the church YouTube page, search for St. Therese the Little Flower Rugby, ND (407) St. Therese the Little Flower Rugby, ND – YouTube

Mass of Christian burial was at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 1 at Little Flower Catholic Church with burial in the church cemetery.

Music by: Little Flower Church Choir

Scripture Readers: Sister Melissa Cote and Westin Gourneau

Presentation of Gifts: Tammy Cammack, Kim Gourneau and Candice Allery

Casket Bearers: Chris Cote, Kevin Cote, David Cote, Nathaniel Gourneau, Dominic Cote and William Cammack

Honorary Bearers: Brothers-in-law and Nephews

Arrangements with the Anderson Funeral Home of Rugby. Online registry: www.funeralsbyanderson.com

Published by The Pierce County Tribune, April 4, 2026.