Lorraine Bertha Mattie (Haak) Laufmann

Lorraine Bertha Mattie Laufmann, 96, formerly of Canova and Howard SD, passed away on Saturday, June 16, 2018 in Sioux Falls SD. Visitation will begin will begin on Monday with the family present from 5pm to 7pm at the Willoughby Funeral Home, Howard SD. Funeral services will be held 10:30am, Tuesday, June 19, 2018 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Howard, South Dakota, with burial to follow in St John’s Cemetery. Lorraine was born on the family farm near Howard SD, September 9, 1921, to John and Hedwig (Hattie) (Voeltz) Haak. She attended country school and continued her education at Eastern State Teachers College in Madison SD where she obtained her teaching certificate and taught at a rural school in Miner County. She was united in marriage to Wilmer Laufmann on June 18, 1947, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, where she had also been baptized and confirmed. They first began their life together in Winfred then relocated to farm near Canova SD. They moved to Howard in 1981. Wilmer died on May 7th, 2000. In 2012, Lorraine moved to Sioux Falls. Lorraine enjoyed many hobbies and activities during her lifetime. These included baking, quilting, and embroidery. She won many awards at the local home farm shows and many of those items will remain treasures and mementoes by those blessed to receive them. Her potato salad remained her children’s favorite dish and making boxes of homemade candies and cookies for family and friends were part of her Christmas tradition. And who knew that in her 90s, she would discover another talent, painting with water colors. She had been active in several Ladies Aid groups, book clubs, a women’s extension club, Farmers Union, American Legion Auxiliaries, and the senior center where she loved playing bingo and various card games. Lorraine also enjoyed her travels through Europe, the Holy Land, Canada, Mexico, and across the United States, including some world fairs. Even at 96, Lorraine enjoyed watching travel and cooking programs on TV. She often reflected on the many changes she had witnessed in her 96 years. Lorraine is survived by her children: Linda Davis, Sioux Falls; Curtis, Gillette WY; Duane, Huron; Byron, Mitchell; Marla (James) Symes, Sioux Falls; Susan (Dale) Jacobs, Sioux Falls; Robert (Janet), Tucson AZ; 11 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren. Lorraine is also survived by brothers John (Joyce) Haak and Harlon (Joyce) Haak, Winfred SD, numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends. Preceding her in death is her husband, Wilmer; daughter-in-law Judy Laufmann, one brother: Gilbert; and two sisters: Elnora Callies and Rosella Kreul. The family wishes that in lieu of flowers,  memorials be made to the St. John's Lutheran evening Guild, Howard, South Dakota.

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