Lorraine Sturm

Lorraine Sturm, age 88, of St. James, died on Sunday, February 20, 2011, at Pleasant View Good Samaritan Center in St. James. A Christian Mothers rosary is scheduled at 3:30pm and a prayer service is scheduled at 7:30pm. Lorraine Helen Thorson was born on January 14, 1923 at the family farm near Lake Crystal, MN, the daughter of Tim and Mabel (Worlie) Thorson. Lorraine attended country school in Butternut Township and graduated from Lake Crystal High School in 1941. After graduation she wanted to be a teacher but could not afford to go to college. She did housework while she completed a six-month home study course in bookkeeping. Her first job was at the Butternut store and later she worked at the Mankato Sears's store from 1943-47; starting as a sales clerk she was quickly promoted to accounting where she worked until her marriage. On January 25, 1947 she was united in holy matrimony to Albert Sturm at the St. James Catholic Church Rectory witnessed by Fr. Walter Bryon and Owen and Margaret Kuehl. In March 1948 Albert and Lorraine began farming. Over the next 31 years she raised eleven children while helping Albert on farms in Butternut, Antrim and St. James townships. In 1979 they retired and moved into St. James. In their retirement she and Albert were finally able to kick back their heels and relax, not really, as they both became fervent dancers and long-time members and officers of the Swinging Saints Square Dance Club. After Albert passed away in 1997, Lorraine moved to Homestead Cooperative in St. James, where she lived for 14 years surrounded by many close friends and extended family. She would often be found in the commons room enjoying coffee and treats or just chatting with friends. But helping others in need was her passion whether at Homestead, volunteering at Pleasant View Nursing Home, or delivering food and Holy Communion to the homebound. She enjoyed traveling together with her children and took numerous trips around the country. She loved to discover new recipes and try them to the delight of her family and wrote her own cookbook based on these favorites which we will always treasure. She was proud of her Norwegian heritage and was an expert in making traditional Scandinavian dishes for holiday events. She wrote a book Remembering the 20's and 30's, which was her legacy, describing her emigrant family up-bringing and the wisdom of enjoying the simple things in life. Lorraine was a kind and gentle woman with a big heart. She was a devoted wife and mother who deeply loved her large family of (82) children, spouses, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Able to spoil each of us by always taking time to listen, write a letter or card or give that special gift. Lorraine lived a life of faith; she was a very active member of her church, involved for years in Council of Catholic Women, Christian Mothers, church prayer groups and numerous activities at the church. She was past secretary of the Catholic Daughters spending endless hours promoting her faith and providing support to others. Lorraine is preceded in death by her husband Albert, a brother Milt Thorson, and her son Bruce. Those that will cherish her memory include, her children: Tom (Jackie) Sturm of Erie, CO; Steve (Glynis) Sturm of Stewartville, MN; Sandy (Ken) Geiger of St. Cloud, MN; Albert (Marlys) Sturm of Stillwater, MN; Becky (Kent) Elrick of Duluth, GA; Deborah Sturm of Gladstone, MO; Brad (Lynn) Sturm of La Crescent, MN; Mary (Tim) McNaughton of Eagan, MN; Dan (Jeanette) Sturm of St. James, MN; David (Cristina) Sturm of Rosemount, MN; Todd Sturm of New Ulm, MN; (28) grandchildren; (11) great grandchildren; a sister Maxine Hislop of St. Paul, MN; and a brother-in-law Ervin Sturm of Fairmont. The family wishes to thank the staff at St. James Hospital and Pleasant View Nursing Home for their care and comfort shown to Lorraine this past year. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials to Saint James Catholic Church or Pleasant View Nursing Home.