Laura Costello

Laura Maria Altobelli was born January 29, 1915, to Tony and Litizia (DiBrito) Altobelli, in Dilworth, MN, where she was raised. Laura attended St. Mary's Parochial School, Fargo, ND, through the eighth grade, and graduated from Dilworth High School in 1933. Laura worked in her father's grocery store, Altobelli's Grocery, in her younger years.


Laura was united in marriage to Louis L. Costello, November 21, 1940, in Dilworth, where they made their home and raised their family. Laura was known for her good food, and especially loved to prepare Italian food while entertaining family and friends at gatherings on Costello Beach at Big Cormorant Lake.

Laura was one of the original cooks for the famous spaghetti dinners held at St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church in Dilworth. She volunteered many hours at the Dilworth Senior Citizens Center and was also active in the Dilworth Lions.


Laura had many hobbies. She was well known for her gardening and canning. Many people canned out of Aunt Laura's garden over the years. She wanted to keep her brain sharp and alive and did just that by way of crossword puzzles and books. Laura also enjoyed Turner Classic movies and loved to listen to songs by Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.


With her family by her side, Laura passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 24, 2004, in MeritCare Palliative Care Unit, in Fargo, at eighty-nine years of age. Laura's life was her family: her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.


Laura is lovingly survived by her husband of sixty-three years, Lou; a son, Larry (Mila) Costello; two daughters, LuAnn (Dennis) Reno, and Leatrice (Dr. William) Cross; grandchildren, Kelly Cross McKinney, Andy Cross, Brian (Nancy) Cross, Tom (Kim) Cross, Bobby Cross, Tony (Julie) Reno, Ross Reno, Craig Reno and fiancée, Erin Reski, Jessica (Chris) Costello-Mather, Brandi Costello and Mario Costello; great-grandchildren, Colette, Jay and Michael McKinney, a baby due in November to Tom and Kim Cross, and Ally, Sofia and Jenessa Reno; one sister, Margaret Oliver; brothers-in-law, Joe Costello and John Verdi; two sisters-in-law, Sybil Costello Verdi and Marion Costello; and many nieces and nephews.


Laura was preceded in death by her parents; infant son, Louis Anthony; infant daughter, Loreli Marie; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Frank and Mary (Perzichili) Costello; brothers, Joe and John; sisters, Millie Coduto Nicholas and Mary Valentino; brothe
Visitation for Laura will be Thursday, August 26, 2004; from 5 - 7 PM, with a prayer service at 7 PM, in St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church, Dilworth. The funeral mass will be at the church Friday, August 27, 2004, at 11 AM. Burial will follow in St. Josep