Lorraine Kraker

Lorraine A. Kraker, age 86 of Melrose, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Friday, September 2, 2016 at the CentraCare Health Nursing Home in Melrose, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, September 7 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Meire Grove with Rev. Vince Lieser officiating and Rev. Marvin Enneking and Rev. Ken Thielman concelebrating. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Melrose.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. The Christian Mothers and VFW Auxiliary will pray at 6:30 p.m. followed by parish prayers at 7 p.m. Tuesday evening at the funeral home.

Lorraine Agnes Bussmann was born on January 23, 1930 in Melrose, Minnesota to Bernard and Elizabeth (Wenker) Bussmann. Lorraine was raised on a farm north of Melrose. She attended country school and Melrose High School, graduating in 1948. After graduation, Lorraine worked for the Melrose Beacon at which time, she met the love of her life, John "Jack" Kraker. Lorraine and Jack were married on January 11, 1950 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose. Together they raised 13 children which include three sets of twins. Lorraine worked with the family businesses at Jack's Lunch and Kraker Insurance and Real Estate.

Many memories were made raising a family this size. Christmas in the Kraker household was one of the most memorable holidays. Great summer memories were created at the family cabin on Big Birch Lake with family gatherings, barbeques, swimming, boating and bonfires. Lorraine's greatest love was her family. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. Lorraine enjoyed baking cookies, crocheting, gardening, walking, biking, dancing, playing cards, watching the Twins baseball games and bird watching. Lorraine was always a kind, giving and patient wife, mother and grandmother. She had an enormous heart and loved and supported her family unconditionally.

Lorraine was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Christian Mothers and Schanhaar-Otte VFW Post 7050 Auxiliary. Lorraine was always very gracious of her time and talents by helping out with church funeral dinners and fund raisers. Lorraine's strong faith and dedication to the Catholic Church was always the foundation of her life. She had instilled these values in her children and in everything she did.

Survivors include her children, John (Maggie) Kraker of Alexandria, Mary (Richard) Louden Horn of Melrose, Mike (Etta) Kraker of Melrose, Bob Kraker of St. Paul, Jim (Jane) Kraker of Grey Eagle, Don Kraker (friend, Tami Woolridge) of Melrose, Jean Anderson of Grey Eagle, Joan (Doug) Baer of Brooklyn Center, Chuck (Monika) Kraker of Melrose, Pam Kraker (friend, Todd Duemke) of Grey Eagle, Pat Kraker of Waite Park, and Bill (Kalli) Kraker of Alexandria; 31 grandchildren and 29 great- grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Celia (Donovan) Hansen of Sauk Centre, Doris Peterson of Sauk Centre, Bernard (Tillie) Bussmann of Melrose, Edward (Darlene) Bussmann of Melrose, and Betty (Vic) Goebel of Freeport.

Lorraine was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Kraker on January 13, 2008; parents; daughter, Anne Kraker on July 21, 1972; grandson, Cassidy Kraker; great-grandson, Dominic Kraker; sisters, Bernice Theiler, Anna Mae Morrison, and Rita Poepping; and sons-in-law, Mike Louden and Bill Anderson.

Serving as casket bearers will be her sons, John Jr., Bob, Jim, Don, Chuck, Pat, and Bill. Cross bearer will be Jean Anderson and scripture bearer will be Mike Kraker. Honorary bearers will be Lorraine's grandchildren.

A special thank you to the staff at CentraCare Health Nursing Home for their wonderful care and support of our mother.