Pauline A. LaBate

Pauline A. LaBate, 94, slipped peacefully into God’s embrace on March 20 at 4:15 a.m., surrounded by the family she cherished. Her life was a beautiful tapestry woven from her greatest loves: Faith, Family, Art, Music, and Laughter. These were her guiding lights. 

Pauline’s life journey began on a family farm near Hibbing, where she was born the first of eight children. At age five, her family moved to Chicago during the Depression, a place that shaped her early years and deepened her longing for the quiet beauty of lakes, woods, sound of the loons, and open skies.

With her beloved Catholic High School days behind her, Pauline followed her artistic calling to the Chicago Institute of Art, where her natural talent blossomed into a lifelong passion. She later treasured her involvement with the Minnesota Range Artist Association, finding joy in color, creativity, and expression. Her art may be seen in all of our homes. 

Returning to the Iron Range brought her back to the heart of her family—and into the path of her future Husband, Peter Francis LaBate, Sr. Together they built a marriage of close to 50 years and raised seven children, whom Pauline considered her greatest purpose and blessing. She was a homemaker in the truest, most loving sense, creating a home filled with warmth, music, and unwavering devotion.

One of Pauline’s happiest places was the family’s lake home in the Side Lake area. It became her anchor, her refuge, and the place where her spirit felt most at peace. Even as life carried her to Arizona, Chicago, Minneapolis, and finally back to Side Lake, her heart always belonged to the lake. 

In retirement, Pauline continued her artwork, traveled to numerous polka festivals, and celebrated every occasion—big or small—with joy. She believed deeply in gathering, in music, in laughter, dancing, and in the simple act of being together with wonderful meals where Potica was a must. Her button‑box accordion was never far from reach.

Pauline met life’s hardships with courage and grace. She endured the loss of her parents, siblings, and her beloved Son, Peter Francis Jr., whom she carried tenderly in her heart. Yet her spirit remained strong, lifted by the love of her six surviving children, her 20 grandchildren, and 25 great-grandchildren - all of which she wanted continuous updates on.

In her last decade, Pauline was lovingly cared for by her daughter and Son-in-law Anna and Jack Steinbauer, in South Dakota with her entire family's support, and later by the compassionate staff at the Lake Norden senior home. She faced these years with dignity, gratitude, and a deep pride in the family she created.

Pauline was preceded in death by her parents Ann and Martin Shuster, her husband Peter, her son Peter Jr., and her son‑in‑law Jack. She is survived by her children: Anna Steinbauer, Joanne (Terry) Rupp, Joe (Karen) LaBate, Pauline Summers, Jan (Jay) Krell, and Debbie (Tom) Jensen, along with her grandchildren and great‑grandchildren, who will carry her love forward. 

She is also survived by her sister Annamarie Hasty.

Visitation will take place from 4:00 to 6:00PM, on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at the Dougherty Funeral Home in Hibbing, MN. Visitation will continue at 2:30PM on Friday, March 27, 2026, at Blessed Sacrament Church in Hibbing which will lead into the Mass of Christain burial at 3:00PM with interment to follow at the Maple Hill Cemtery in Hibbing.

Pauline's entire family extends heartfelt thanks to the Lake Norden Care Center Home and Watertown Hospital Hospice for their extraordinary care of our Mother in her greatest times of need.