Lorraine Warnberg
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Lorraine (Margaret) Koop Warnberg, of Brainerd, MN, died at 93 years old on Sept 15, 2023, at Quiet Oaks Hospice House in St. Cloud, Minnesota. She was born in Brainerd on July 3, 1930, to Matilda and Arthur (Newgard) Koop. She graduated from the Brainerd school system and had special affection for Whittier Elementary School. On April 5, 1950, she married Chuck Warnberg. Lorraine's goal in life was to create a refuge, welcoming guests with food, kindness and love; her home was often abuzz with family and friends stopping by for coffee, treats and conversation. She was known for her generosity, hard work, and delicious food, including her brownies and various other sweets, home-cooked meals, and famous Swedish Rye Bread. She was committed to serving her community, she baked the communion bread for Lutheran Church of the Cross for years, volunteered at the soup kitchen, and sent food to anyone she learned was ill or just down on their luck. Aside from cooking and helping others, Lorraine enjoyed early morning walks, antiques, her children, grandchildren, and crocheting. She made signs she placed throughout her house, with sayings she found meaningful, such as: It is nice to be important, but more important to be nice.
Lorraine had a life with many joys and sorrows, and always marched forward with quiet resolve and courage. Before her death, while reflecting on her life, she said the happiest years were at 607 Holly Street with 55 neighborhood kids racing around, and other moms sharing coffee. She also loved going to the lake with sisters and cousins, visiting the North Shore, and anything to do with Christmas. When they came along, she cherished her great grandchildren.
Her last years were spent at Woodlands in Brainerd, where she loved many of the staff as dear friends. They treated her like family and were attuned to her needs. The staff at Quiet Oaks treated all of us that way; it made an end we knew was coming easier to accept.
Lorraine is survived by her daughters Roxanne (Bill) Wilson, of Rice, MN; Susan (Dan) Silvernale, of Siesta Key, Florida; Lisa (Britt) Jewett, of Santa Barbara, California; as well as sons Tom (Jamie) Warnberg, of Barron, Wisconsin; and Todd Warnberg of Minneapolis, MN; treasured grandchildren and great grandchildren, sister-in-law Marion Town and many nieces and nephews. Her beloved Kay Johnson of Little Falls is her last surviving sibling.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, three sons - Jeffrey, Timothy and David - siblings Bill Koop, Gwen Fredstrom, Mary Ellen Kaul, in-laws and many dear friends.
If you wish to give a memorial, consider Showers of Blessings, of Santa Barbara, California; Sharing Bread Soup Kitchen, of Brainerd; Good Samaritan Woodlands Foundation, of Brainerd; give.good-sam.com (Guardian Angels for AIDS); or Quiet Oaks Hospice House of St. Cloud Minnesota.
A wake will be held on September 30, 2023, at Nelson Doran Funeral Home, Brainerd, MN. The wake will be 3-6 PM, followed by stories, music, and a prayer from 6 to 7 PM. Private family services will be held as well.
Nelson-Doran Funeral Home
www.nelson-doran.com
218.829.4755