Lorraine Dunn, 79
A mother’s hug lasts long after she lets go. With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Lorraine Marilyn Dunn, our amazing mom and friend to all whose lives she touched. She passed from this life into the arms of our loving, heavenly Father on May 7, 2020, the National Day of Prayer, at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park. She was 79.
Mom fought many illnesses during her life, but she ultimately succumbed to complications from the COVID-19 virus. It would be wrong to say that Mom lost her battle because she never stopped fighting. No matter how sick she was, she was always determined. When anyone else would have broken, Mom stayed strong. Through her, we know what resilience and perseverance truly look like.
Mom is survived by her husband, Joel Dunn. She is also survived by her two children, Dwaine Pettygrove of New Brighton, Minn., and Rachelle Younce (Dave) of Little Rock, Ark.; her brother, Lowell Nelson (Mavis) of Grand Forks; and her sister, Shirley Ann Hallee of Nova Scotia. She will be greatly missed by her grandchildren Mackenzie Lamphere and Reed Lamphere, along with many nieces and nephews. She had a myriad of close friends, several from childhood, who will also cherish memories of their time together.
Mom was born Aug. 30, 1941, in Hallock, Minn., to Elmer T. and Marian (Vickers) Nelson She graduated from Lancaster High School in 1959. Her life was a living example of one of her favorite Bible verses, Ephesians 4:32 – “And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.”
In high school she was very active in 4-H. It was there she learned how to sew, a passion which carried her to a lifelong love of sewing and knitting. She worked full-time to put herself through college. Upon graduating from Northwestern College with a degree in teaching, she worked for Robbinsdale School District 281 for her entire career as an elementary school teacher. After retiring, she provided respite care for families who had children with special needs until her health prevented her from doing so. The impact she had on these families and their children is profound.
Mom had many passions, including bargain hunting of any kind, volunteering, going to church and attending the Guthrie Theater with her dear friend from childhood, Linda Dietz. She never had an unkind word to say about anyone and had such a love for disadvantaged people of any kind. Most of all, she loved our Lord and Savior her entire life and will now enjoy the riches of heaven. She will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts.
