Lorraine A. Kreuser, age 97 of Jordan, passed away Sunday, November 19, 2017 at her home. A visitation will be held on Friday, November 24, 2017, 4-8 PM at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, Jordan. A funeral service will be on Saturday, November 25, 2017 at 10:30AM with a visitation starting at 9:00AM all at Lydia Zion United Methodist Church, Lydia. Lorraine will be laid to rest at Calvary Cemetery, Jordan.
Lorraine was welcomed to this world on October 10, 1920 by her parents Herman and Lydia (Greenwald) Will and her older brother Leonard at the family farm that her grandfather homesteaded. Lorraine spent her entire childhood on this farm in Spring Lake Township helping with household and farm chores such as cooking and baking for the family and the threshing crew, husking corn, and mending clothes. She especially loved the beautiful horses her family raised. She liked to tag along with Leonard to hunt and fish. The family spent every Sunday visiting relatives or neighbors, which often were one and the same. One of those neighbors was her future husband, Roman.
As a child, Lorraine and Leonard walked a mile and a half to attend the one-room school house, District 20. She graduated from Jordan High School in 1938. Her early employment included Mudbaden and Sunder’s Store. After graduation, Lorraine and her parents moved to the town of Jordan to a house built by young Roman Kreuser. Although they were friends as children, at this time they began courting and went to many dances at Mertz Hall and Spring Lake Hall. Roman and Lorraine were married on October 16, 1946 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Jordan.
The couple lived in an apartment on Water street in Jordan and began their family with David, Steven, and Marilyn. In 1955, the family moved to the “top of the Jordan hill” where their family continued to grow with Emily, Mike, Mark, Dan, Connie, Terri and Susan. Even though Roman continued to run his construction crew, they wanted their kids to enjoy country life—fields, woods, and a variety of animals. All this was a wonderful setting in which to grow, made better by Lorraine.
Lorraine baked daily, made hearty meals, and grew fields of potatoes and strawberries. Along with Roman, she also ran the Jordan Laundromat. She always had her family over on Sunday—everyone was invited. After 62 years of marriage, Roman passed away 9 years ago, yet Lorraine continued living at her home. She loved being with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and it was very important to her to spend time with them and stay involved in their lives. Lorraine was truly dedicated to her family. We will miss her ability to keep the family connected and her fondness for keeping all informed on the weather.
Throughout Lorraine’s life, she was a devoted member of the Jordan Immanuel United Methodist Church. She enjoyed Sunday car rides, her annual Minnesota State Fair outing and traveling to Europe, Alaska, and Hawaii. This past August, she was happy to pick blueberries in Bayfield, Wisconsin.
Lorraine’s family is thankful for the many years they had together. Her family extends their appreciation to the friends, relatives, and those who cared for Lorraine.
Lorraine is survived by her children, David (Karen), Dr. Steven (Lin), Marilyn (Joe) Lais, Emily Plooster, Mike (Kathy), Mark (Connie), Dr. Dan (Patty), Connie (Ashley) Bixby, Terri (David) Born, Susan (James) Brisley; 35 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren and 2 expected soon; other relatives and friends.
Lorraine is preceded in death by her husband, Roman; grandchildren, Benjamin & Erin Kreuser; parents, brother, and many in-laws.
Arrangements by Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation.
