Lorraine Carolyn Wackerfuss, 77, of Cumberland died Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at Cumberland Care and Rehab.

She was born to Gilbert and Elsie (Reese) Metz on September 12, 1946, in Cheltenham, PA, where she was raised and educated, graduating from Cheltenham High School. She met John Wackerfuss in Philadelphia, PA, where he was working for 3M. John took her on their first date to a Philadelphia Flyers hockey game. That led to their marriage in Philadelphia on August 17, 1968, and they soon moved to White Bear Lake, MN, where she worked for 3M until they started their family. They then moved to Rush City, MN, and lived on a small hobby farm until moving to Cumberland in 1980. In Cumberland, Lorraine worked at Augustana Lutheran Church as the church secretary. She cooked and worked in the kitchen at Cumberland Memorial Hospital, managed the Deli and Bakery at both the Holiday grocery store and then Main St Market, before her retirement.

Lorraine's life encompassed so much more than work. She spent many years as a hockey mom and grandmom. This was a privilege that she accepted wholeheartedly and proudly. She had the patience of a saint and a deep love for her family and friends. Her love of The Lord provided the framework for her life and she continued to maintain an unwavering faith in her Lord and her church. Lorraine had a grace and class about her and presented herself with humility and dignity. She loved to read, travel to her beloved Philadelphia, complete puzzles, and spend time with her grandchildren. She loved to dance, especially with her love John. It brought joy to her family to watch them spin around the dance floor. She enjoyed cooking and baking, and even made homemade butter in her earlier years. Lorraine loved the holidays because they were a time of celebration with her whole family. She thoroughly enjoyed time with her family and friends and had been known to relax with a glass of wine or blackberry brandy. Despite Lorraine's many health challenges over the years, she remained resilient and never wavered in her love of life and bravely met each day with a smile and appreciation.

She is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, John; children: Dawn (Mike) Franson, Jim Wackerfuss, and Dan (Jessica) Wackerfuss; 3 grandchildren: Michael (Maija), Dylan, and Everleigh, and great-grandson, Wade. Lorraine was preceded in death by her sister, Linda, her parents, and her mother-in-law, Myrtle Wackerfuss.

A celebration of life will be held at the American Legion Hall in Cumberland on Saturday, May 11, 2024, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM. She will be laid to rest at a later date at the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery near Spooner.

Skinner Funeral Home of Cumberland is serving the family.

Last Update: May 05, 2024 2:19 pm CDT