Lorraine Gatchell

Lorraine Gatchell, age 97 of North Mankato and formerly of St. Peter, passed away on Wednesday, September 28, 2022 at Monarch Meadows in North Mankato.

Memorial service will be 2:00pm Monday, October 3, 2022 at St. Peter Funeral Home with visitation one hour prior. Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery, St. Peter. For a complete obituary or to leave a condolence visit www.saintpeterfuneralhome.com.

Eva Lorraine Anderson was born August 7, 1925 in Little Falls, (Morrison County) MN to Lloyd and Mae (Green) Anderson. She was the youngest of three girls. She graduated from Little Falls High School in 1943. Music was always important to her. During high school she played French horn in the band, sang in choir, played drums in the VFW Drum and Bugle Corp, and also played the piano.

Lorraine attended teacher training in 1944 and taught school in a one room school in Cushing MN. During that time she sang for funerals and weddings in the Baptist Church. Lorraine married George A. Gatchell on December 23, 1945. They had six children together. Lorraine and the family moved from Little Falls to Mankato after which she went back to college to receive her degree in teaching from Mankato State. She taught 6^th grade in Garden City, later becoming principal. After moving to St. Peter and retiring, she became active in adult literacy and foster grandparent programs.

George and Lorraine enjoyed camping and she was an active quilter. Lorraine was known for her quick wit and sense of humor. Everyone enjoyed her crazy t-shirt sayings.

She will be greatly missed by many, including her children: Ernie (Barb) of Hayti SD, Gary (Nancy) of Cushing MN, Jim (Margaret) of Mankato, Becky Carlson of Duluth, Art (Tammi) of Corpus Christi TX and Deb (Tom) of St. Peter; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.