Lorraine Skrypek

SKRYPEK, HOWES, BAXTER

Posted By: SGF (email)
Date: 12/18/2002 at 15:03:59

Lorraine Ann Baxter Skrypek, 61, of Paynesville, Minn., went to her eternal rest on Nov. l4, 2002. She had been struggling with breast cancer since June of 1996. A Mass of Christian Burial was held Tue., Nov. 19, 2002, at the St. Louis Catholic Church in Paynesville with Father Richard Leisen and Father Greg Skrypek officiating. Johnson Funeral Home in Paynesville assisted with arrangements. Interment was in the parish cemetery. Lorraine was born in Waukon on July 29, 1941, to Leona Mary (Howes) and Leonard Baxter. She was one of seven children. Lorraine attended Eells Country School for grades K-8. She then attended St. Patrick's School in Waukon for high school. Lorraine entered the Presentation Sisters of Dubuque in September of 1959. She attended Clark College, Dubuque, and became a teacher. Lorraine taught at St. Odelia's in Roseville, Minn., and at St. Patrick's in Cedar Falls before leaving the Presentation order in June of 1969. After leaving the convent, Lorraine taught at St. Charles Borromeo in Minneapolis and at St. Mary's in White Bear Lake. Lorraine met Don Skrypek in White Bear Lake. They were married in December of 1971. Don was hired to be an elementary counselor in Paynesville, Minn., in the fall of 1972. Lorraine worked as a supplementary teacher in K-4, and then became a Special Education teacher in the Middle School in Paynesville. She held this position until she was forced, by illness, into early retirement in 2000. Lorraine had a great love of teaching. Lorraine's hobbies were playing bridge and 500, bird watching, decorating her home, emailing her sisters, visiting with friends, and spending time alone in prayer. Her greatest joy was being a wife to Don, a mother to Suzanne, Jennifer, and Jeff, a mother-in-law to Dan and Lameck, and a grandmother to Natalie Ann. Lorraine was a member of St. Louis Parish in Paynesville, Minn. She was also a member of Christian Women and a past member of the American Legion Auxiliary and the Renew Choir of St. Louis Parish. Lorraine was a mentor and educator in all that she did. May she be a mentor for all in her acceptance of her illness and transition to heaven. She will be a guardian angel to us all. Lorraine is survived by her husband Don of Paynesville; three children, Suzanne (Dan) Hansen of Litchfield, Jennifer (Lameck) Arika of Burnsville, and Jeff Skrypek of St Paul; granddaughter Natalie Ann Hansen of Litchfield; brothers Bill (Hazel) Baxter of New Albin and John (Margie) Baxter of Waukon; sisters Ruth Rainey of Lewiston, Idaho, Margaret (Ray) Steinhart of Dickeyville, Wis., Sam (Bob) Hrdlicka of Charles City; 50 nieces and nephews, 69 great nieces and nephews; five great-great-nieces and nephews; and one great-great-nephew. Lorraine was preceded in death by her parents; an unborn baby, Jesse; a sister, Catherine Irons; brother-in-law Dave Rainey; and several nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. Arrangements are with Johnson Funeral Home of Paynesville.

©Waukon Standard 2002
-source: Waukon Standard, Nov. 20, 2002