The Rev. Louisa Marie Goplen Fure, 53, died Saturday, Dec. 3, 2005, as a result of an automobile accident.

She was born April 27, 1952, in Long Prairie, the daughter of Gerald and Eleanor Goplen. She grew up there and graduated from high school 1970. Louisa graduated from Augsburg College in Minneapolis. Louisa married John Fure Dec. 28, 1974, in Long Prairie, at the American Lutheran Church. The couple has resided in Albert Lea since their marriage. Louisa graduated from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, May 1999, where she received the Prize in Homiletics. She was then ordained into the holy ministry at First Lutheran Church of Albert Lea, in June, 1999. In July she received her call to be an associate pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church of Owatonna, where she had been currently employed. Louisa was recognized for her creative and outstanding preaching.

Louisa always made time to spend with her family, especially on holidays where large family gatherings are a tradition. She enjoyed being with her nieces and nephews, attending their events, and was known to them as &8220;teaser Weezer.&8221; Everyone enjoyed her sense of humor and ability to enter a room and light it up with fun. She relished times she could be at the lake cabin, with family and friends, relaxing, kayaking, going to Itasca State Park and exploring.

Louisa conducted a children’s choir, served on the church council, Worship and Music Committees, sang in the church choir and performed as a soloist and substitute organist at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. As an active member of the community, Louisa taught private piano lessons, acted in Albert Lea Community Theater, Minnesota Festival Theater, Little Theatre of Owatonna and Rochester Dinner Theater. Louisa was actively involved in many causes and civic activities that included working with developmentally disabled adults in Albert Lea. Louisa’s life passion was providing pastoral care for all people she encountered.

She was a compassionate advocate and caregiver to animals, large and small.

Her grandparents, Albert and Mildred Stigen and Ben and Francis Goplen of Long Prairie, preceded Louisa in death.

Louisa is survived by her loving husband of 31 years, John Fure, with whom she shared a passion for the theater and arts. Also surviving her are parents: Gerald and Eleanor Goplen, Long Prairie, brothers: Greg Goplen, Long Prairie, Jeffrey (Gail) Goplen, St. Paul, sisters: Leslie (Keith) Koester, Lorton, Virginia, Lynna (Scott) Reese, Austin, Gretchen (Bud) Poppen, Duluth, nephews: Andrew Garrison, Austin Benjamin Poppen and Dana Poppen, Duluth, nieces: Jessica Pesta, Duluth, Sarah Garrison, Austin, Alyssa and Bethany Goplen, St. Paul, as well as many loving aunts, uncles and cousins. All of her wonderful friends and parishioners will miss her, as will her pride and joy, Duncan the dog, and her cats, the Tots.

Visitation will be held at Michaelson Funeral Home, 1930 Austin Rd. on Friday, Dec. 16, 2005, from 4 to 8 p.m. and on Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church from 10 to 11 a.m. Memorial services will be held Saturday, Dec. 17, 2005, at 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the family to be allocated to charities that were important to Louisa.