Peterson, Lorraine Brander (1923-2014)

PETERSON, BRANDER, MINETTE, HARRINGTON, RICHARDS, HARTMAN, MILLS, BRANDER, DURBIN, SCOTT

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 7/20/2014 at 21:59:09

Lorraine Brander Peterson
January 6, 1923 - June 26, 2014

Lorraine Brander Peterson, age 91, of Storm Lake, Iowa, died on Thursday, June 26, 2014, at the Methodist Manor Retirement Community at Storm Lake.

Lorraine Brander, a daughter of Edward W. and Rose (Minette) Brander, was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on January 6, 1923. Baptized on January 7, 1923, in Sioux Falls, she moved with her family to Storm Lake in 1927 after her father had accepted a position as the head butter maker at the Diamond Creamery.

Confirmed in 1933 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Storm Lake, Lorraine received her education at St. Mary’s School, graduating in 1940. In 1946, she graduated from Buena Vista College with a Bachelor of Arts degree. That fall, she taught English, history, and dramatics in Churdan, Iowa.

On June 3, 1947, Lorraine married Glenn Dale Peterson at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. To this union were born two children: Glenn Dale II and Susan Elizabeth. In the fall of 1959, Lorraine taught 6th grade half time at St. Mary’s School. For 15 years, she taught this class with love and devotion. She, then, became the Intermediate Mental Disabilities Educable Special Education Teacher. For twenty-four years, she taught students with special needs, both during and after school as needed.

Lorraine maintained a lifelong love of Girl Scouting, receiving her 75th year pin in 2012. An active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Parish, she served as a co-leader of the “Sursam Corda” Prayer Group, a member of the Alumni Board, a lector, and an extraordinary minister. In addition, she served on the Buena Vista College Alumni Board and was awarded the “Distinguished Jack Fisher Alumni Award” in 1986. Very active in the Buena Vista Historical Society, she served on its board for more than twenty-five years. During this time, she worked with a team that developed five videos portraying the history of Buena Vista County. She served as Vice-President of the museum board for one year.

Lorraine’s interest in Storm Lake’s historic Harker House led her to become a guide and board member for many years. Indeed, she took a very special and active interest in the Storm Lake community throughout her lifetime. As a result of her interest in local history, she developed a slide presentation which showed the growth of Storm Lake. Dubbed “Old Storm Lake,” this presentation was given to schools, organizations, private groups, reunions, and individuals.

Lorraine, also, enjoyed writing children’s stories and illustrating some of them. She read these stories at elementary schools in several cities within the United States as well as at those in Storm Lake. Along the same line, Lorraine developed programs on American artists and presented these programs at local schools under the auspices of the “Artist in Schools” program at the Witter Gallery.

Very proud of her involvement in the restoration of the two large stone pillars at the entrance to Chautauqua Park, Lorraine had initiated this project beginning with bringing the pillars up from their graves on the lakeshore and proceeding through to their complete restoration. Her lifelong friend, Margaret Krasky Nordyke, offered to pay any expenses involved, thus making the work possible. Lorraine was eternally grateful for her love and generosity. The pillars are standing beside their counterparts at the Chautauqua Park entrance. They are a tribute to their creator, Mr. Richter, but also to the many who gave their talents to make Storm Lake great. Lorraine was proud to have been a part of this group.

Lorraine’s life and legacy is honored and celebrated by her two children, Glenn D. Peterson II, and his wife, Theresa, of Mesa, Arizona, and Susan Harrington, and her husband, Dr. Thomas Harrington, of Ames, Iowa; her five grandchildren: Derick Peterson, Erica Peterson Richards, and Caitlin, Megan, and Shawn Harrington; her four great grandchildren, Sierra, Tyler, Kaelah and Amelia; her two sisters, Mary Hartman, of LeMars, Iowa, and Rose Mills, of Lakeside, Iowa; and her two sisters-in-law, Esther Brander and Mary Jo Durbin; as well as by many nieces, nephews, other extended family members, and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Glenn, in 1984; her grandson, Patrick James Harrington; four brothers: Allen, Tony, Edward, Jr., and Lloyd “Tubby” and two sisters: Dorothy Minette and Agnes Scott.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Lorraine’s memory to the Buena Vista County Historical Society or to St .Mary’s Music and Arts Department.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, July 2, 2014, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Storm Lake. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will take place on Tuesday, July 1, 2014, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Sliefert Funeral Home in Storm Lake. The Sliefert Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.

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