LEA KROPELIN May 23, 1940 – August 23, 2016 Lea Kropelin, age 76 years, passed away peacefully in Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre on Tuesday, August 23, 2016, with family by her side. Lea was born on May 23, 1940 in Steinbach, Manitoba to Alphonse and Laurence LaRoche. Lea’s first language was french and she was very proud of her francophone heritage. At the age of six, her family moved to Fort Frances Ontario. At the age of 19, she married Harvey Kropelin and together they had 6 wonderful children. She dedicated her life to raising her children and she was extremely proud of them and all their accomplishments. Family was very important to her. Lea was best known for her sense of humour, quick wit and fun loving ways. She was always the life of the party. She enjoyed dancing, singing, gardening, bird watching, fishing, cooking, camping, playing the accordion and the spoons and going to the casino. She loved her pomeranian, Muffin. Lea had a gift for telling fortunes, and many of her readings came true. She will be truly missed. Lea is survived by her partner, Maurice Smiegielski; her father, Alphonse LaRoche; children: Laurie (Mark) Thompson, Anita (Gerry) Broere, Todd (Wendy) Kropelin, Tim (Kyla) Kropelin, Suzanne (Ken) Walske and Corrine (Doug) Lund; grandchildren: Nina (Christian), Jenna, Michael (Sarah), Matthew (Laura), Jeffrey (Nicole), Ashley, Kooper, Bronson, Chelsey, Drew, Scott (Ali) and Christopher and her great-grandchildren, Spencer and Sophia. She is also survived by her siblings: Pauline (Ardon) Wilson, Irene DeGagne (Wally), Roger (Lynn) LaRoche and Sandra Selin (Jake); in-laws, Fred (Sharon) Kropelin as well as numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. She was predeceased by her mother, Laurence LaRoche. Cremation has taken place and a private interment and celebration of Lea’s life will take place at a later date. Should friends so desire, donations made in memory of Lea to the Northern Cancer Fund would be greatly appreciated. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Everest Funeral Chapel, 299 Waverley Street at Algoma. Gone yet not forgotten, Although we are apart, Your spirit lives within us, Forever in our hearts Love you mom!