Lorraine Jean Willmert, 84, of Austin died Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017, at Comforcare Good Samaritan Center.

Lorraine was born Sept. 1, 1932, in Forest City, Iowa, to Clarence and Edith (Halverson) Langerud. She graduated from high school in Northwood in 1950 and married Richard Willmert on June 8, 1952, in Albert Lea. Lorraine and Richard had eight children. The family lived in Austin since 1952. Richard passed away in 2009.

Over the years, Lorraine had various jobs including at the YMCA, Burr Oak Manor, Woolworth, Sterling Drug, Gerard, Old Colony Boarding Home and Comforcare Good Samaritan Center from 1990 until she retired in 2005. She was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, where she was active in ladies aid and Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. Helping others was important to Lorraine. She donated many gallons of blood to the American Red Cross bloodmobile. She enjoyed embroidery, making many sets of dishtowels to donate and give as gifts. Lorraine loved to bake. She was known for her doughnuts, mints and fruit pizza, and enjoyed selling cookies and treats at Christmas time. Lorraine enjoyed square dancing and her friends on her bowling league for many years. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Lorraine is survived by her children Richard (Julie) Willmert of Cottage Grove, Diane (Mike) Gilbert of Rochester, Ruth (Vance) Oelkers, Darlene (Randy) Duholm, Debra Willmert (Mike Marcks) all of Austin, Rita Seha (Dave Giles) of Kasson; daughter-in-law Margi Willmert of Mankato; 16 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren; brother, Ray (Joyce) Langerud; sister, Kathy Bennett; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Bryan (Mary) Willmert, Orlo (Jean) Willmert and Barb Willmert, all of Albert Lea; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and many good friends. 

She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Richard Willmert; sons Randy Willmert and David Willmert, in infancy; granddaughter, Heidi Newell; grandson, Raymond Milholland; great-grandson, Carter Newell; brother, Richard Langerud; her parents Clarence Langerud and Edith (Langerud) Reid; stepfather, Robert Reid; father-in-law, Orthwin Willmert, mother-in-law Dorothy Willmert; sister-in-law, Mavis Langerud; brother-in-law, Merrill Bennett; brother-in-law, John Willmert; and sister-in-law, Justine Willmert.

A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Holy Cross Lutheran Church. The Rev. John Schleicher will officiate. Interment will follow in Grandview Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday and one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Memorials can be directed to recipient of donor’s choice.

The family offers a special thank you to the staff at Comforcare for all the kindness and care they gave their mother while she made her home there. Services pre-arranged and performed by Worlein Funeral Home of Austin. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.