In loving memory of

Marc LaDue
May 19, 1959 - September 15, 2018

I, Marc LaDue, was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on May 19, 1959, to Frank & Sabine (Pfauter) LaDue. I passed on to wherever it is we go on Saturday, September 15, 2018.

Celebration of Life will be at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, September 22, 2018 at Mohr Funeral Home in South Sioux City, NE, with luncheon to follow. Visitation will begin at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday at the funeral home. Dress is casual.

We lived in Cedar Rapids only a few months before making Sioux City our home. My parents adopted Matthias in 1963, and we got along as well as most brothers do. In 1968, my family moved again, this time to Zurich, Switzerland. I remained there for the next ten years, during which time I went to public school, as well as three months each in what was then known as West Berlin and Mallorca, Spain. My parents divorced in 1975. I stayed with my dad in Switzerland, while Tias went with my mom to the States. I took up the sport of bicycling in 1975 and was the Swiss Junior Amateur National Champion. In 1976, my half-brother Robin was born in Germany. I moved back to the United States in 1977, where I have remained ever since.

Starting off with the Marine Military Academy in Harlingen, Texas, my education in America was full of gaps. Then it was on to the United States International University in San Diego, California. By the fall of 1979 I was again in the Midwest, this time entering my one and only in-patient drug & alcohol treatment program (who knew?). I graduated successfully and headed back to Sioux City, where I had some family and friends. I also completed a six-month stint in the Men's Halfway House at that time, and I remained free of alcohol and illegal drugs for the rest of my days. Thank you AA & NA!

I worked in a number of different occupations for the next few decades, while also attempting to finish my bachelor's degree (on the 18-year plan no less), which I finally accomplished in 1995 from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. In 1985, I met the woman I would marry: Marsha Lederer Crane. We married in April 1987. With Marsha's encouragement, I went after my dream of studying law. After 18 months, my focus changed to that of education. I received my master's degree in education in 2001.

I began my teaching career at the Winnebago Public School District in Winnebago, Nebraska, and never left. I remained a teacher there until my illness prevented me from working. I also enjoyed driving semi-tractors and trailers from coast to coast (but mostly out to California and back) from 1995 to 2015. My love for motorcycling led me to become a member of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, and I was an instructor for MSF for more than 20 years.
My students and fellow staff members at Winnebago taught me far more than I was ever able to reciprocate. And for these many lessons I am forever grateful.

During my last forty-some years in Sioux City, I met and enjoyed many unique and interesting people. Many came to me by way of Sioux City's excellent recovery community; others I got to know as a result of my favorite pastime: motorcycling. My wife and I spent many satisfying miles on the backs of our motorcycles, both two-up and each on our own. Eventually we exchanged our Harley's for dual-sport machines, which I loved to take out to the old brickyards landfill in Riverside, as well as our annual trek to Colorado and the Rocky Mountains. Again, many new friendships were forged and treasured. I also was privy to bonding with many exceptional individuals in Winnebago. Students, co-workers, and parents make up the lion's share, but many others left their mark on me as well.

I have also lost a good number of close friends and relatives; my dear brother Tias in 1989, my dad in 2005, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
My mom moved back to the States in 2017 with my half-brother Robin. Hopefully America will turn out to be all they had hoped.

I will miss you all tremendously, but none more than my beloved Marsha.

I am survived by my best friend and loving wife, Marsha; my mother Sabine; my brother Robin; a nephew Jordan Bliehl (Christina) and daughter Ayla; uncle Chick LaDue (Nancy) and cousins Robert, Richard, and Grace; cousin David LaDue (Annette) and their children Benny and Mitchell; cousin Margie McGonigle (Jack); uncle Herman Pfauter (Lizzie); uncle Tom Steinbeck and cousins Carl, Michaela, Birgett, and Johnny; aunt Thea Konig; uncle George Pfauter; numerous cousins in Germany; cousin Dick Donoway, daughter Erin, and her son Conner; brother-in-law Greg Lederer (Elizabeth) and nieces Alex (Nick) and Madeline; brother-in-law Jeff Lederer (Theresa) and nephews Brandon (Melissa), Justin (Diana), and niece Kati; aunt Margaret and cousins Kellie and Kathy (Jim) and her children Aaron and Nicole; and cousin Scott O'Connor (Patti) and their daughter Caitlyn.

In my final journey, too many friends to mention have been so very helpful to Marsha and me. I must thank in particular our special friends John and Barb Redwine, who ignored the distance between their home in Arkansas and Sioux City, special angels Bill and Kathy Addison, Barbara Clinkenbeard, and my co-teachers Dale Mette (Sandy) and Mark Feight (Cheri). I also want to thank my two brothers-in-law and their spouses for everything they have done for Marsha and me over the last three years.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Winnebago Public School Foundation for student scholarships: Box KK, 202 Osborn, Winnebago, Nebraska 68071.

Tributes

Stephen Pfauter wrote on Sep 25, 2018:

"I first met Marc in Switzerland and was very impressed to have such a cool older cousin. Years later Marc and Marsha invited me into their home for a couple of weeks after I?d completed my own stint in an Iowa rehab. Very kind and generous of them both and I?ll always be grateful for that."

Lynette Braesch wrote on Sep 20, 2018:

"My sympathy, thoughts and prayers to you Marsha. I didn't know Marc very well at all however in reading his life story you and he seemed to have developed many special people in your life together. Please lean on those special people to get you thru this difficult time. Thinking of you Marsha and the family. Lynette Braesch/Nylen"

ElGrupo wrote on Sep 18, 2018:

"Marc lead Elgrupo for several years and joins the eternal chapter. http://www.elgrupo.us"

Eric Wissing wrote on Sep 18, 2018:

"Marc, was unique . I took a cat from him. The cat didn't even speak English. Marc could have taught him. His language skills amazed me. We cooked out in Stone Park with two of his Swiss friends. Their English was not great and Marc translated by dropping from Swiss German into French and finally back to English in a flash. Amazing. Most of the stories I could not share here. He was always surprised me. My thoughts are with his wife and family. "

Tamara Parker wrote on Sep 18, 2018:

"Thank you Maraha for sharing Marc with us all these years. My family is keeping you in our thoughts as you navigate through your new life. I cannot express my sincerest appreciation for Marc LaDue except to say thank you."

Gene Monk wrote on Sep 18, 2018:

"Going to miss Marc, he brought alot of good people together that enjoy the passion of motorcycling . It was a honor to be one of Marcs friends and get to know Marsha better. Miss ya buddy.....one of the NUTS"

Dan Raak wrote on Sep 18, 2018:

"I have so many fond memories of Marc. He was friendly to everyone and welcomed me to the SC motorcycle community. We rode many miles together. One of my fondest memories of Marc was how much he enjoyed a good meal. You could hear how good it was. I also enjoyed seeing the love that was shared between M and M. Marc, you will be missed"

Garry L Coon wrote on Sep 18, 2018:

"One of the REALLY nice guys"

Christy Henjes wrote on Sep 18, 2018:

"So, so sorry to hear of your lose, we will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers."

Mark Norcott wrote on Sep 18, 2018:

"Mark Norcott 9/18/2018 For those that did not get to meet and know Marc LaDue you missed knowing one of the best dudes on the planet. I miss you Marc and you will never be forgotten!!"

Amy Erwin wrote on Sep 18, 2018:

"I hope you and Tias are riding dirt bikes in the sky! Love and miss you both! "

Flora Lee wrote on Sep 18, 2018:

"Marsha, I always enjoyed Marc and valued his friendship. Please know you are not alone on this new journey. Take care of yourself, be kind to yourself and know you are loved. Flora Lee"

Ann Brodersen wrote on Sep 18, 2018:

"Marsha, Sabene and Robin:For each hour of your loneliness, I wish you a day of comfort; For each minute of grief, a year of peace; And for every tear, a thousand reasons to smile. I will miss my big goofy friend, but am glad to see him out of pain and suffering. He is truly my Serenity Prayer Warrior! Ann Brodersen"

Kay Kurth wrote on Sep 18, 2018:

"Marsha, so sorry for your loss. My prayers for comfort in the loss of Marc, the love of your life. "

Jeff and Cathy Anderson wrote on Sep 18, 2018:

"Our sympathies to you Marsha. Marc was always friendly and had a smile on his face. You took very good care of him through it all. You were lucky to have each other! Jeff and Cathy Anderson "

Patricia Camposano Milligan wrote on Sep 17, 2018:

"Marc and I cousins. We played together as young kids until he moved. I was lucky to reconnect with Marc years later. He always had a twinkle in his eyes and such a bright smile. I will miss you Cousin. He always spoke of the love of his life Marsha. A very kind man. Love, Patricia Camposano Milligan. "