Lorraine V. Lee, age 84, of Brainerd died on Tuesday, September 15, 2020 peacefully at her home.
Funeral services will be held on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at 1 p.m. at the Laestadian Lutheran Church in Brainerd with Howard Parks, officiating. A visitation will be for one hour prior to services at the Church. Interment is to take place at Evergreen Cemetery in Brainerd.
Lorraine was born to Thomas and Valentine (Salisbury) McCarthy on December 23, 1935 in Brainerd. She graduated high school and married Robert Lee on June 13th, 1953. Together they had five children. Lorraine was a homemaker, talented artist, wonderful cook, loving and faithful wife, mother, and friend. When asked for memories from her friends and family, they recalled her ability to always tackle the challenges she faced with tenacious ferocity. This was evident in her battle with Parkinson’s. Her friends relate how kind and giving she was to everyone. As kids, we never knew who would be living at our house when we came home from school. She was the best mother that any child could ever ask for. She was Mom to many who were not her natural born children; supporting and loving many young people who needed love. Friends remember what a wonderful cook and hostess she was; “the coffee pot was always on!” Her friend Betty recalls a winter snowstorm when the roads were not passable, and the power was out. She and her husband walked to Mom and Dad’s…she said it was beautiful! And…when Mom opened the door, they could smell the delicious beef stew that she had bubbling on the wood stove. They shared a wonderful meal before they walked back home. Mom continued to cook on her wood stove, teaching her young caregivers how it was done, right up to the end of her life.
She loved her children and her puppy, Chico, but her “Bob” was the center of her universe. There was no love like the love of Bob and his “Peaches” as he called her. This strong love and the love of God and the strength of Mom and Dad’s faith were the foundation of the home that us five kids were raised in. We were taught to be honest, caring, loving, and giving. What a legacy for a parent to leave.
Lorraine is survived by her children, Karen (Rick) Pikula, Nancy (Marty) Carlson, Mark (Paivi) Lee, Lisa (Mark) Collette, and Joy Hillukka; 23 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren; siblings, John (Sharon) McCarthy and Judith Schutz.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Robert Lee; her parents; one son-in-law, Warren Hillukka; two grandsons, Christopher Pikula and Nathan Carlson; one granddaughter, Kelsey Hillukka; one great-grandson, Erik Lee; and one brother, Thomas McCarthy.
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