Lorraine Loretta Keranen

Lorraine Keranen, 88, died peacefully on Monday, February 13, 2023 at Diamond Willow Assisted Living, Park Rapids, Minnesota. Lorraine Loretta Junes was born an only child to Albert and Esther (Hovin) Junes on April 16, 1934 in Clearwater County, Minnesota. She was baptized in Bagley, Minnesota on June 3, 1934. In 1935 the family moved to Butte, Montana where her father worked in the copper mines. Young Lorraine, along with her parents, moved to Portland, Oregon in 1942 where her parents worked in the shipyards during World War II. Lorraine shared that while in Oregon, and just a young girl all of 8 years old, she would wander the neighborhood with a wagon in search of materials that could be used for the war efforts. After the war, the family moved to Washington while her father panned for gold. The family then returned to Butte where her father again worked for the copper mines. The family moved back to Minnesota to farm for just a short time before moving back to Butte, where Lorraine grew into womanhood. Lorraine was confirmed at the St. Mark Lutheran Church Missouri Synod in Butte. Her memory verse reads “Be thou faithful until death, and I will give thee a crown of life. Revelations 2:10”. And a faithful believer she was! Lorraine graduated from Butte High School in 1952. Lorraine excelled in school and was in the National Honor Society, French Club, Pan-American Club, Art Club, Pep Club and School of Mines. Her year book notes that Lorraine was a “rare combination of brains and beauty”. After graduation, Lorraine visited her grandparents in Minnesota. During this visit Lorraine met Wilbert Melvin Keranen and the couple married just three months later on October 2, 1954 at the Keranen family farm outside of Wolf Lake. Lorraine and Wilbert raised their five children on the Keranen family farm, and eventually took ownership from Wilbert’s parents. Lorraine would comment on how much she enjoyed driving the tractors. Lorraine continued living on the family farm after Wilbert’s death in 2010 until she moved to Diamond Willow Assisted Living in 2022. Lorraine was a long-time member of Christ Lutheran Church in Wolf Lake. Faith was central in her everyday life. Lorraine was also very proud of her Finnish heritage and was able to speak fluent Finnish. Lorraine loved to bake and always had good treats for any visitor that stopped by. Family and friends were so important to her. Gardening came easy to Lorraine, who enjoyed both flower and vegetable gardening. Each year, beautiful flowers adorned the front of the house. One can only guess how many jars of vegetables and fruit she’d put up over the years. Lorraine loved crafts of all kinds, especially painting and crocheting. Lorraine was preceded in death by her parents and step parents, husband Wilbert and brother-in-law Bob Riewer. She is survived by her children Brenda (Bill) Reichling, Gordy (Toni) Keranen, David (Bettina) Keranen, Paula (Jody) Simi and Steve (Jennifer) Keranen. Nine grandchildren- Crystal, Eric, Tony, Stephanie, Jerrod, Bryan, Samantha, Jacob and Jessica. Eleven great grandchildren- Johnathan, Gabino, Toby, Seirra, Mollie, DJ, James, Hayden, Asher, Oaklynn and soon to be baby boy, and sister-in-law Violet Riewer, who she always thought of as her own sister. Whether Lorraine earns the crown of life, we do not know. But knowing that she was a true and faithful believer in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, gives us comfort in knowing His promise of eternal life for her will be fulfilled. Visitation will be from 4-6 PM Sunday, February 19, 2023 at Christ Lutheran Church in Wolf Lake, MN and continue one hour prior to the service at the Church. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM Monday, February 20, 2023 at Christ Lutheran Church in Wolf Lake, MN. Interment will be at Wolf Lake Cemetery.