Lorraine Claassen

Passed away peacefully in her sleep on the morning of October 30, 2025, at the age of 93. She was born on February 6, 1932, atop Miller Mountain on the West End of the Spokane Indian Reservation. Because the doctor didn’t arrive until the following day, her birthday is officially listed as February 7, 1932. Her father, Maurice Eustis Lynn, braved a harsh winter storm, taking a horse and wagon down the mountain to bring back a midwife to help her mother, Eva Anna Lynn, deliver their only daughter.

As a young girl, Lorraine’s family moved to the Omak and Okanogan area, where she attended school and helped support the family financially by thinning and picking apples. During these years, she met Robert Claassen, a young man recently returned from World War II. Robert was captivated by Lorraine and “chased her around” until he caught the love of his life. They married on August 6, 1946, beginning a 55-year lifelong partnership built on love, faith, and perseverance.

After their marriage, Bob and Lorraine moved their growing family to southern Oregon, traveling often between Oregon and Washington before returning to the West End of the reservation so Lorraine could help care for her parents. Together, they proudly raised six children: Louis, Bobby, John, Daniel, Karen, and Becky. The family built their permanent home in 1972, and Lorraine poured herself into every garden and tree and lovingly placed each stone along the property wall.

Lorraine was the adored matriarch of her family and community. She served the Spokane Tribe for many years as a NYC supervisor and helped lead projects that improved tribal life, including clearing the rugged terrain that became Peters Road. She found joy and purpose in cooking homestyle meals for the Tribe’s senior citizens and became a local celebrity: for what began as dinners for six soon grew to more than forty. Once a month, she would drive the seniors to Spokane or Colville for shopping trips, ensuring they were cared for and connected.

Throughout her life, Lorraine marveled that a simple country girl from Miller Mountain could be so blessed by God to see the world. Her travels took her across the country, as far as the South Pacific islands of Samoa, and ultimately to the sacred lands of Israel, where she was exultantly re-baptized in the Jordan River – the same river where John the Baptist baptized Jesus.

Her faith guided her every step and touched all who knew her, from new acquaintances to generations of grandchildren. Lorraine was the heart of her family: endlessly loving, selfless, patient, and a magnet for laughter. Though she will be deeply missed, her beautiful soul returns to her Lord in grace, and her loved ones will forever carry her light.

Lorraine was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Claassen; her brothers Clyde, Vernon, and Kenneth; her sons Bobby and John Claassen; and her daughter Karen Rudert.

She is survived by her loving children Louis (Talla), Daniel (Cindy), and Becky Claassen. Her legacy includes 16 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews who cherish her memory.

A funeral service honoring Lorraine’s life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 5, at Strate Funeral Home in Davenport, Washington, followed by a family burial at the Claassen Family Cemetery.