Lorraine L. Grunke

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Grunke, Lorraine L. May 30, 1922 - Aug. 2, 2014 Age 92 of St. Paul. Lorraine Louise (Grosshans) Grunke was born in Hazen, North Dakota to Elsa and Rev. Louis Grosshans. Her family moved to rural Compton, Illinois in 1929. Lorraine graduated from Mendota High School in 1940 and from Wartburg College in 1944 with a degree in Social Studies. After working for two years in a Settlement House in Detroit's inner city she married Marvin Grunke on June 12, 1946. They moved to St. Paul in 1953 where Lorraine was an active volunteer for schools, scouting, Bethlehem Lutheran Church and Episcopal Homes. She taught English as a second language and volunteered for the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and the YWCA of St. Paul where she was also a staff member and program director. During their first year of retirement Lorraine and Marvin lived in Papua New Guinea and worked as volunteers for a Lutheran Publishing House. In 2002 they moved to Episcopal Homes where Lorraine resided until her death. A woman of abundant curiosity, Lorraine pursued a wide range of interests and activities including social justice issues, music, reading, travel, and a weekly game of Scrabble. Lorraine died following a long journey with lung cancer, her "medical adventure." She navigated this chapter of her life with her characteristic courage, grace and faith. Lorraine is survived by daughters, Mary Grunke and Ruth (Stephen) Klein; son, Frederick (Ann) Grunke; grandchildren, Laura (Tom) Alexander, Dan Gutmann, Sonja Gill, Andrew Grunke, Michael Grunke, Joseph Gutmann; Matthew (Amy) Klein; Megan (Tom) Wolfe; great-grandchildren, Xander Gutmann, Owen Alexander, Leah Alexander; Zoey Klein; Alexis Klein; Kaden Klein; James Wolfe; Jonathan Wolfe; brother, Erwin (Ruth) Grosshans; sister, Gertrude Haebich; brother-in-law, Anton (Dee) Friedrich; daughter-in-law, Janine Gutmann Rutter and many nieces and nephews, Judith Friedrich and Kay Meints in particular. Lorraine was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin Grunke; daughter, Carol (Grunke) Gutmann; son-in-law, Roger Gutmann; and great-granddaughter Maria Grunke. A celebration of Lorraine's life will be held Saturday, August 9th, 11:00 a.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 436 Roy St. N., St. Paul, MN. with Reverend Joy Johnson officiating. Friends may visit one hour prior to service. A private inter- ment at Lake Elmo Christ Lutheran Cemetery will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to the donor's choice. Holcomb-Henry-Boom-Purcell 651-646-2844

Published on August 7, 2014