1926 – Dorothy “Lorraine” Van Klei – 2017
Dorothy “Lorraine” Van Klei was born on September 15, 1926 on a farm south of Hadley, Minnesota to John and Clara Swan Muck. Following her father’s death in 1928 the family moved to a farm near Slayton, Minnesota where Lorraine attended Country School District #77. On December 14, 1944 she and Fonnie Van Klei were married at the Lutheran Church in Slayton. Following their marriage they farmed near Iona, Minnesota for two years before moving to a farm near Adrian, Minnesota. In 1948 the family moved to a farm near Kenneth, Minnesota until 1973 when they moved to a farm near Ellsworth, Minnesota. In 1976 they moved to Woodstock, Minnesota and purchased a bar and lounge that they ran for 12 years. Fonnie passed away on May 24, 1998. Lorraine worked at Skelly’s Market in Pipestone and later at Jim’s Market in Slayton until her 80’s. Lorraine remained in Woodstock until 2000 when she moved to Slayton, Minnesota. In 2012 Lorraine moved to Edgebrook Care Center in Edgerton, Minnesota. Due to declining health Lorraine moved to the Pipestone Good Samaritan Society in 2015, where she passed away on Sunday, December 17, 2017 at the age of 91. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Slayton where she was active in the ladies aid. Lorraine spent many hours volunteering at the Regional Development, the Slayton Manor and Sunrise Terrace. Lorraine enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, cooking and doing volunteer work.
Survivors include her five children and their spouses: Sharon Hamm, Luverne, MN, Marlou Bloemendaal and significant friend Dean Groen, Brandon, SD, Steven and Laura Van Klei, Champlin, MN, Kathy and David Hunt, Stewartville, MN, and Lonnie and Deb Van Klei, Hugo, MN; 15 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; one sister-in-law Gladys Knapper, Slayton, MN, and many nieces and nephews and their families. She was preceded in death by her parents John and Clara Muck; step-father Ferd Knapper; husband; infant granddaughter Shelly Hamm; three sons-in-law: Roger Hamm, Arnold Halverson and Gordon Bloemendaal; infant sister Valeria Muck; four brothers and their spouses: Charles and Hattie Muck, Orville and Marie Muck, Harold and Alva Mae Muck and Dean Knapper; three sisters and their spouses: Mable and Roy Orvis, Evelyn and Jonie Thompson, and Ellen and Don Kathman.
Funeral services were held at First Presbyterian Church in Slayton, MN on Wednesday, December 20, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. with Dave Hollis officiating. The organist was Kathy Magnus with special music by her grandchildren Naomi Saylor, Elijah Hunt, and Charity Hunt and also Sue Muck. The pallbearers were grandchildren. Interment is at Slayton Memorial Gardens in Slayton, MN.
Totzke Funeral Home of Slayton is entrusted with arrangements. To send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome.com
