Lorraine Struck

Long-time resident, Lorraine Shirley Ann Struck (nee Gunderson) peacefully passed away on Tuesday, September 5 at her home, surrounded by family.  She was born June 11, 1921 to Leonard and Lillian Gunderson at her parent’s home, near Norseland, Minnesota.         After attending grade school in District #32, she graduated from St. Peter High School in 1939, and from Eitel Hospital School of Nursing, Minneapolis in 1943.         She was baptized in 1921 and confirmed in 1935 at Norseland Norwegian Lutheran Church. As a member of Grace Lutheran Church, Le Sueur, Minnesota and later St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church, St. Peter, Minnesota, she sang in the choirs, taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, was a member and officer of ladies groups, and was a volunteer WELS African Mission contact.  She helped at the Red Cross Bloodmobile, taught  farm safety for the Nicollet County Farm Bureau, was a member of the Nicollet County Extension Group and Farm Bureau Women’s Committee.  Lorraine served in the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps reserve during World War II in 1944 and 1945. At time of discharge, she was a Lt. (jg) and spent time teaching Hospital Corps School. She worked in various capacities at St. Peter Community Hospital, St. Peter Clinic, and G.A.C. Health Service Married to Elmer Struck on September 4, 1945, she farmed with him for many years in Lake Prairie Township.  Lorraine moved to St. Peter in 2004 and enjoyed traveling, baking, cooking, arts and crafts, flowers and her family.    Survivors include her son, Fred (Lydell) Struck and his wife Joy; daughter Jan Lutz (Janice) all of St. Peter; and daughter Marlene Swearingen and husband Danny of Coon Rapids, Minnesota, as well as eight grandchildren—Andrew (Nikki) Lutz, Kyle and Michelle Lutz, Patricia and Kimberly Swearingen, Karl (Laura) Struck , Oren Struck, and Keith (Anna) Struck and two great grandchildren—Parker Swearingen and Porter Struck. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Elmer in 1997, and her siblings. Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 9 at St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church in St. Peter.  Visitation will be 4:00 – 7:00 pm Friday, September 8 at the St. Peter Funeral Home, 906 North Washington Avenue, St. Peter, Minnesota and will continue for one hour prior to the time of service at the church on Saturday.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Peter Ev. Lutheran Church, M.V.L. High School or Belle Plaine Lutheran Home.