"To Lorraine\'s family. I am one of the very few left on the Nordness/Johnson branch of Lorraines family. I so enjoyed Eastern Star and all the lovely memories and stories she shared. What a kind and gentle soul was she. I will truly miss her smile. With Deepest sympathies Darlene(Nordness) Searcey"
In loving memory of
Lorraine Anfinson
December 3, 1926 - July 18, 2021
Lorraine Ruth (Erickson) Anfinson, age 94 of rural Peterson, died peacefully surrounded by family at her daughter's home in De Soto, Wisconsin on July 18, 2021.
Lorraine was born in Holt Township in Minnesota on December 3, 1926 to Randolph and Lillian (Helland) Erickson. She attended the Gribbon Valley Country School through 8th grade, and her life changed forever when at age 16 she received a letter asking her to be a hired girl at the Anfinson Farm. On February 19, 1944, she was united in marriage to Ralph Anfinson. They were blessed with four children and raised them on their family farm.
Lorraine was most proud of her family and the farm that has been in the family for over 100 years where she resided for 78 years. She loved writing letters to gather information from relatives in the US and Norway for the 7 family history books that she published to share with generations to come. Lorraine was very active in her community and her church. She was a Worthy Matron of the Eastern Star, and a member of the Brown Swiss Cattle Association, the Sons of Norway, and Vesterheim Museum. She was a board member of the Fillmore County Historical Society, and a member of the Rushford and Lanesboro Historical Societies. She was the clerk for Norway Township for many years, a 4-H leader, a Sunday School teacher, a member of the WELCA and circles at Highland Prairie, and a member of the Holy Rollers Lefse Group at Carol's church in De Soto. Lorraine was a gifted quilter and made her children's clothes when they were growing up. She was an active partner in running the family farm by milking the registered Brown Swiss dairy herd for 30 years and caring for her many sheep. She always had a smile on her face and enjoyed life to the fullest by attending all family activities throughout the years and hosting numerous events at the farm, including visits from many Norwegian relatives.
Lorraine will remain in the hearts of her children, Robert (Caroline) of rural Peterson, Rose Mary (Alan) Breitsprecher of Decorah, IA, Gladys (James) Hebl of Eyota, and Carol (Martin) Kirchhof of De Soto, WI; 10 grandchildren, Marie (Troy), Rachel (Timothy), Richard (Elizabeth), Carl (Lisa), Franz (Ginny), Brenda, Margit (Evan), Hans (Kara), Kristina, Loralee (Joshua); 14 great grandchildren, Colin (Kelsi), Olivia, Anastasia, Katharina, Lars, Maria, Anna, Virginia, Fritz, Valerie, Max, Maya, Hunter, and Benjamin; as well as many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph; her parents; sister and brother-in-law, Rosie and Arvid Hermanson; brother, Herbie Erickson; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Olaf and Mary Jane Anfinson; and one nephew.
The family would like to give a special thank you to Loralee Wetter, Carol and Martin's family, and St. Croix Hospice for the wonderful care they provided Lorraine in her final days.
A funeral for Lorraine will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 24, 2021 at Highland Prairie Lutheran Church in Peterson, MN. Visitation will be from 4 - 7 p.m. on Friday, July 23, 2021 at the Hoff Funeral Home in Rushford, MN; as well as from 12 - 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 24, 2021 at Highland Prairie Lutheran Church. An Eastern Star service will be at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, July 23, 2021 at the Hoff Funeral Home in Rushford. Lorraine will be laid to rest in the Highland Prairie Lutheran Cemetery. Please leave a memory of Lorraine and sign her online guestbook at www.hofffuneral.com. Hoff Funeral Home of Rushford is assisting the family.
Tributes
"My sympathy Rose and your families. She was a wonderful woman in every aspect of life. Love to all. Jen"
"Ron Studt-Winona Thank you so much Mrs. Anfinson for allowing me to hunt on your property for so many years. Also thank you for the pears and apples. A long life well lived."
"We are so happy that we learned to know Lorraine, and the story of how our families were connected. She visited our farm in Norway in 2002, and we stayed with her when we were visiting The Mindrum Family Reunion in 2004 and 2014. She was such a wonderful person to be around, and we remember her with great gratitude and joy. Sigrun and Odd Haugtr"
"Lorraine was such a kind and interesting person. I loved talking with her at the family Thanksgiving gatherings. She was so talented and just an absolute pleasure to be around. She will be greatly missed. The Daml Family (Mike, Jackie, Rebecca & Mark)"
"I had the pleasure of visiting Lorraine and Ralph twice and also enjoyed showing them parts of Norway in 1989. Lorraine did a tremendous job compiling several family history books. She is gone but the good memories will persist."
"I contacted Lorraine in 2005 when I learned of my connection to the Anfinson family through my great-great grandfather Rasmus Groettum and that they still farmed the land he originally homesteaded and that was passed on to his daughter and her husband Maren and Ole Anfinson. I include these details because Lorraine and I both shared a love of genealogy. I visited the farm many times over the years since then accompanied by family and others to share a meal and talk about family history. Lorraine was a special woman, generous, loving and welcoming. I will miss sharing discoveries, photos and stories with her."
"Lorraine was a special person. My Grandmother Oien was married to my Grandfather Johan at this farm. As a child, my Mother, my Grandmother, and my Mother?s two brothers stayed on this farm while my Grandfather went to Norway. My Mother was close to Ralph and Olaf Anfinson and talked often of staying on this farm one winter. Both my parents and my husband and I enjoyed several visits here. The last time we were here, I remember her garden and hummingbirds. I have her book on the Anfinson history. Sending love to the family at this time. Lorraine lived a full and wonderful life. "
"Paul and I enjoyed having Lorraine as a neighbor, for the last 40 years. She was always so fun to visit with. She had a wealth of history in her. She will be missed dearly. Janet and Paul Ryan "
"I hold special memories of my Aunt Lorraine. She was caring, compassionate and a loving aunt. Aunt Lorraine will be sadly missed, but not forgotten. Arlene Taylor"
"Lorraine was a good friend of my Mom, Edith Nerstad, and she talked fondly of her many times. We met Lorraine when Spring Grove Sons of Norway met with Lanesboro\'s. She was such a sweet lady and we will miss her."