Jennifer Lukach
July 7, 1975-Aug. 23, 2009Jennifer Sue Lukach, 34, of East Grand Forks, Minn., passed away peacefully on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2009, at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, N.D.
Jennifer Sue was born on July 7, 1975, in Estevan, Saskatchewan, Canada, to Pierre and Susie (Hall) Carpentier of Portal, N.D. She attended elementary and high school at Burke Central in Lignite, N.D., and graduated with honors in 1993. After graduation, Jennifer attended Minot State University and then transferred to the University of North Dakota. GO SIOUX! She completed her college education at UND, earning a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 1998 and a Master's in Business Administration in 1999. She began her career as a Human Resource Generalist at Amazon.com and continued her successful venture in the HR department at EcoLab. She was an active board member of the Northeastern Dakota Area Human Resources Association (NDAHRA) and also achieved her Professional Human Resources (P.H.R.) Certification. She was chosen to be a UND Hultberg Lecture Participant and spoke on personal work/life balance being a working mother.
On June 25, 2004, Jennifer married Matthew Lukach. Together they shared their love of music. Jennifer's favorites were Martin Zeller and GB Leighton, but a Firehouse concert started it all. During the summer, Jennifer loved to spend time at her parents' cabin at Van Hook. Fishing on the lake always made her happy. She also loved attending Carpentier family reunions. Jennifer and her friends had many wild adventures and had created wonderful memories that will live on forever.
On Oct. 6, 2006, Sophia Emery was born. As a family, they enjoyed tailgating at UND football games and cheering on Sioux Hockey. In 2008, they took a family vacation to Disney World, where Jennifer and Matt introduced Sophia to Mickey Mouse.
Jennifer and Matt were members at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Grand Forks. They both believed that God has helped them in their many journeys. Jennifer will continue to watch over everyone in her new role as a guardian angel.
Jennifer is survived by: her husband, Matthew, and daughter, Sophia, of East Grand Forks, Minn.; parents, Pierre and Susie Carpentier of Portal, N.D.
Jennifer was preceded in death by paternal grandparents, Emery and Blanch Carpentier, maternal grandparents, Al and Bertha Hall, and several uncles and cousins.
Funeral Mass: Friday, Aug. 28, at 10 a.m. in St. Michael's Catholic Church 524 5th Ave. N, Grand Forks, N.D.
Celebration of Life: Thursday, Aug. 27, starting at 7 p.m. at the Guest House International (formerly the Best Western Town House), Grand Forks.
Visitation: Thursday, Aug. 27, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. with a wake service at 6 p.m. at Amundson Funeral Home, 2975 South 42nd St., Grand Forks.
Burial: Sunset Memorial Gardens, Minot, N.D., 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29.
Arrangements with Amundson Funeral Home (www.amundsonfuneralhome.com)
