Loraine [Drake] Raiser 1920-2011

DRAKE, RAISER, ELLIS, BOCH, JORGENSEN, VAN ERT

Posted By: Curtis (email)
Date: 10/7/2011 at 09:42:02

DEATH NOTICE:

(The Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Iowa September 21, 2011)

RAISER, Loraine, 91, of Lamoni, Iowa died on Saturday, September 17, 2011, at her home. Following the donation of her body to the University of Iowa for education and research, a memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, September 23, 2011 at the Lamoni United Methodist Church with Pastor Jodi Rushing officiating. Burial will be at a later time at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter, Iowa. Arrangements are through Slade-O'Donnell Funeral Home in Leon and Lamoni, Iowa.

Memorials may be given to the new Decatur County Hospital X-Ray Department.

Obituary -

(The Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Iowa September 28, 2011)

LORAINE RAISER ... Loraine Drake Raiser, age 91 of Lamoni, Iowa, daughter of Leigh Francis and Loraine [Ellis] Drake, was born May 7, 1920 in Council Bluffs, Iowa. She passed away peacefully at home, with her family by her side on September 17, 2011.

Loraine graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in Council Bluffs in 1937. She then took X-Ray Technician training in Council Bluffs and acquired her certification. Loraine began her career in Alton, Illinois, where she met William "Bill" Raiser. Bill, of willow Grove, Pennsylvania, was attending trade school in auto mechanics in Saint Louis.

Loraine and Bill were married November 12, 1943 at her home church, First Congregational Church of Council Bluffs, while Bill was home on leave from the U.S. Army. After their marriage, Bill served in the Philippines during World War II, while Loraine lived in Council Bluffs. Three children were born to them: William Leigh, Steven LeRoy, and Martha Sue.

The family made their home on the Drake family farm in rural Council Bluffs until 1957 and then resided in Council Bluffs. After the children reached middle school, Loraine returned to work as an X-Ray Technician in area clinics. She was very meticulous and good at her work, and Loraine enjoyed what she did.

Loraine and Bill lived in Hawaii from 1974 until 1983. They moved to Lamoni in 1984. She worked as secretary at the congregational Church in Kailua Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii, and she was later the secretary of Lamoni United Methodist Church for many years. Loraine was devoted to and involved with her churches and led many women's groups. Throughout her lifetime, she also assisted with and led 4-H and PTA groups and was a member of P.E.O.

The Drake Family Farm ("The Farm") in Council Bluffs,was the gathering place for all the extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins on holidays. Loraine enjoyed her girlhood working with her dad on the grape farm - cultivating and picking Concord grapes, using a team of horses instead of a tractor, and picking asparagus. Loraine also enjoyed later times with her children on flat-bed sleigh rides and old-fashioned hay rides with loose stacked hay. Loraine spent time with her children in nature, showing them leaves and bugs.

Loraine's love was her family, and she was the "best mom." She was always there for her husband and children. Loraine was dignified and poised, and in turn, taught her daughter how to be a lady. Loraine was the caretaker of the family - her grandparents, her mother, her sister, and brother-in-law. So, it was a joy for her family to return that care to Loraine at the end of her life. Giving until the end, Loraine donated her body to the University of Iowa for education and research.

Preceding Lorain in death were her parents; twin brother Leigh Drake, Jr., and sisters Janet Boch and Phyllis Jorgensen.

Surviving are her husband of nearly 68 years, Bill Raiser of Lamoni; daughter Martha Raiser and husband Floyd Van Ert of Leon; sons Will Raiser and wife Francoise of Toulouse, France and Steve Raiser and wife Janet of Maxwell, Iowa; her grandchildren and great grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.