Lorraine Anne Ehlen, 91, Burlington, died April 15, 2013, at Pine Brook Pointe. Burlington has lost someone who enjoyed a good cup of coffee, good conversation and a good laugh. A polka in the background started Lorraine’s feet a tapping.
She was born on June 13, 1921, to the late Lawrence and Katherine Hegeman. Both parents died before Lorraine reached adulthood. She and her four sisters prided themselves on being able to stay together with no help from the outside.
On May 16, 1942, she married Joseph Ehlen at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Joseph died at the age of 59, which left a lot of time for a busy farmer’s wife. Many activities filled the extra time.
She volunteered at St. Joseph’s School, the Burlington Hospital gift shop, St. Mary’s School cafeteria, and Mount Carmel. She was also always available to drive people into “town.” She particularly enjoyed traveling with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to places far and near.
Survivors include her children, Kathy (Tom) Terry, Burlington, JoAnn (John) Vande Sand, Providence Forge, Va., Peggy Tymus, Burlington, Dan (Cathy) Ehlen, Elkhart Lake; a sister, Evelyn Kerkman, New Munster; sister-in-law, Gerry Ehlen, Burlington, brother-in-law, Bud Schoenberg, Lyons.
She took every opportunity to talk about and show off her pictures of her grandchildren Todd (Melissa) Terry, Emily (Doug) Ihrke, Jeff (Amy) Vande Sand, Katherine (Charles) Destinon, Scott (Cindy) Vande Sand, John Tymus, Joseph (Kayla) Ehlen, Elizabeth Tymus, Scott Ehlen, Matthew Ehlen and J. B. Vande Sand; her great-grandchildren; Mackenzie, Charlie, Scott, Meriwether, Brayden, Reese, Joella, Tymus, Ellie, Donovan and Brooklyn.
She was further preceded in death by her son-in-law, Richard Tymus.
Visitation is Saturday, May 4, from 9 a.m., until time of Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m., at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Lyons. The Rev. John Baumgartner will officiate. Burial will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Schuette-Daniels Funeral Home, Burlington, is serving the family.
The family would like to express a thank you to Gentiva Hospice as well as a special thank you to Mary and all the Pine Brook staff for their love and care of mom over the past 6 years.
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What a beautiful person – what a beautiful obituary !
Lorraine was someone very special, and has provided so many fond and fun memories for so many people over her lifetime. Heaven is so lucky to have her with them up there – but she’ll be cheering on all her loved ones down here! Just loved her…
I know she was a wonderful person. After all, she raised Joanne–an equally lovely person.
My sympathy to Lorraine’s wonderful family as they mourn their loss, yet celebrate Lorraine’s well-lived life. I smile when I think of Lorraine. She made me laugh everytime I was priviledged to coffee with Peggy and her mom. Lorraine talked with a mischievous curl to her lips and twinkle in her eye which pulled me into her narratives. Even before my meeting Peggy and her mother, my mother, Jean (Tausher) Skarie, told stories of high school fun with the Hegeman girls. As time passed and Lorraine married Joe, the couple frequently took a carload of Hegeman girls and my mom to dances. My mom and I will cherrish Lorraine’s memory forever.