Kathy Schultz Hagemeister's Mother

Lorraine Mary Dittberner Schultz was born on June 15, 1920, and went to be with her Savior on September 8, 2011. 

An only child, Lorraine was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Minnie Dittberner. She was baptized on July 11, 1920 and confirmed on July 1, 1934 at Ebenezer Lutheran Church in Leaf Valley. 

She attended country school at District 23 near Leaf Valley, and graduated from Alexandria High School in 1938. 

Married to Otto C. Schultz on June 4, 1941 at Ebenezer, she farmed with her husband near Leaf Valley, where they raised their four children. In 1978 they retired and moved to Alexandria. In 2006 they moved to their current home at Windmill Ponds. 

Lorraine and Otto celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in June 2011. As an active member of Ebenezer Lutheran Church, she sang in the choir, was in Ladies Aid and taught Sunday school. While a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Alexandria, she sang in the choir, played in the handbell choir, was a member of the quilting group and co-chaired many years on the funeral committee with her dear friend, Edna Anderson. She volunteered in the coffee shop at Knute Nelson for several years, was a charter member of the Leaf Valley Fire Department Ladies’ Auxiliary and part of the committee that started the annual potato pancake feed. 

Lorraine was a wonderful cook. Her specialties included delicious homemade buns and rosettes. She loved playing the piano and was an avid gardener. She especially loved her flowers. She did many types of handiwork, including hand-stitching quilts for each of her 14 grandchildren’s graduations. 

Lorraine and Otto enjoyed traveling to Hawaii, Germany, England and Wales. Over the years they enjoyed many road trips to Florida, California and many other states with Otto’s only brother Willmar and his wife Lillian. She loved playing cards, especially “Schultz 13” with Bernie and Armilda Follick, visiting with family and friends, days spent at Lake Miltona, and accompanying Otto during his Barbershop and Old Timers Quartet activities. She often played piano at home to help the Old Timers practice. 

Her family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her pride and joy. She was a very loving wife, mother and grandmother. Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Otto, of Alexandria; her children, Wayne (Lori), Watertown, SD, Tom (Barb), Garfield, Kathleen Hagemeister, St Cloud, Rodney (Lori), Alexandria; 14 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, and a host of friends. 

A funeral service was held September 12 at Zion Lutheran Church with the Rev. William Moeller and the Rev. David Hinz officiating. Music was provided by Irma Brockberg and Dan Olson. Interment was at Ebenezer Cemetery in Leaf Valley. Steve Schultz, Lisa Schultz, Bill Schultz, Kim Londo, Josh Hagemeister and Angie Johnson served as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were Bonna McFarland, Carla Theusch, Kaylene Schultz, Leah Thul, Ross Hagemeister, Jed Hagemeister, Heather Good and Sheri Schultz. 

Arrangements are with Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria; www.andersonfuneral.net. A00009B2011SP14

(Obituary from the Echo provided by Bev Roers Korkowski. Thanks, Bev. Our thoughts are with Kathy.)