Lorraine Scheel Raths

Lorraine S. Raths was born to Martha and Erick Scheel on April 14, 1926. She was raised with her sister, Inez, on a farm near Markgrafs Lake in Woodbury. She attended rural school until the eighth grade, and then she went to Saint Paul Harding High School, graduating in 1944. Though she had hoped to go on to college upon graduation, circumstances did not allow it. But later in life, she enrolled as a student at Normandale Community College, and she was rightfully proud when she graduated with an associate degree in 1980.

With her family she was active in what is now called The Grove United Methodist Church, being both baptized and confirmed there. On June 19, 1948, she was united in marriage at the church to Earl Raths. They bought their first home in Edina and then moved to Eden Prairie, where they raised their two sons, Dean and Marty.

Over the years, she held a variety of jobs, and she found her work at the Hennepin County Welfare Service and the Hopkins High School especially rewarding. She was also active in many community organizations, including the Eden Prairie United Methodist Church, the Methodist Hospital Auxiliary, and the League of Women Voters, where she served as a past president. She helped to start up the local Eden Prairie News, and the family hosted an AFS student in the 1970 school year.

In retirement Lorraine and Earl ran an antique business in their home and built a cabin in northern Wisconsin, enjoying the summer months there gardening, playing golf and hosting family and friends. In 1996 they moved back to their hometown of Woodbury where they helped to start activities for seniors. They were also involved with the work of the Woodbury Heritage Society and active in The Grove United Methodist Church.

Lorraine was thoughtful and wise about life and concerned about the larger world. She was a devoted wife, a loving mother and a good friend to many through the years. She enjoyed traveling, playing cards, being a part of book and study groups and spending time with extended family. She especially loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and treasured the ways that she was able to be a part of their lives.

Lorraine spent the last ten years of her life at Oak Meadows Senior Living, endearing herself to many of the staff and residents. She died there on April 1, just two weeks shy of her 99th birthday. She touched the lives of many people during her good, long and faithful life.

She is survived by her sons, Dean (Laurie Engel) and Marty (Donna Buell); daughter-in-law, Carol Harrison; grandchildren, Justin, Katherine (Corey Brenner) and Nathan (Des); great-grandchildren, Atticus, Max and Lucia; and other family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl; parents, Martha and Erick; sister, Inez, and brother, Warren, who died in childhood.

Memorials are preferred to The Grove United Methodist Church and the Woodbury Heritage Society.

A Service of Remembrance for Lorraine will be held Saturday, May 10, 2025 at 11:00 AM with visitation one hour prior to service, from 10 AM - 11 AM at The Grove United Methodist Church, 7465 Steepleview Road, Woodbury, Minnesota 55125. A luncheon will immediately follow the service at the church.