Lorraine lived a long, good life, and she always left things better than she found them. She was born on February 11, 1928 to Howard and Emma Saxton at St. Helen’s Hospital in Chehalis, Washington. Lorraine was a caring sister to her two siblings: Wilbur and Louella. She grew up on a dairy farm and later wrote dozens of stories about farm life. Lorraine met her future husband, Pete, at a dance in Claquato in 1944. Not long after that first dance, Pete was drafted into the Army and he joined the fighting in Europe at the Battle of the Bulge. Lorraine attended Adna High School and stayed connected to Pete through their letters.
Pete came home safe and sound from the war, and in 1947 Lorraine and Pete were married. Lorraine worked in a bank and later in a Welfare office. Pete worked at Kraft. They started a family in 1950, bringing Stan, then Cliff, then Keith into the world. Lorraine and Pete were industrious, and they began building houses. Lorraine worked right alongside Pete. She was an expert at drywall and she did all of the finish work.
In 1960 Lorraine went back to college to become a teacher. She studied two years at Centralia Community College and then two years at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA. On weekdays Lorraine lived near the PLU campus while Pete managed the household. Their three boys made sure all of the housework and laundry was done before Mom got home every Friday night. Lorraine graduated and started teaching 6th grade in Chehalis Schools in 1966. 25 years later, she retired.
By that time Lorraine and Pete had built or remodeled 10 houses. Between building projects time was made for fishing, gardening, motorcycle riding, antiquing, and camping - sometimes in Yakima during apple picking season. Lorraine took writing classes and wrote dozens of cherished stories about growing up. She also helped Pete write down his memories of the war in Europe. Eventually, Pete and Lorraine moved into Chehalis, but they kept a 40 acre tree farm. The last stop was at Chehalis West, an incredible care center.
Lorraine was thoughtful, kind, analytical, smart, and self-disciplined. She simply made everything around her better.
Lorraine was preceded in death by her husband Peter O. Riedesel, her father Howard E. Saxton, her mother Emma Saxton, and her bother Wilber Saxton.
Lorraine is survived by her sons Stan (Joe) Riedesel, Cliff Riedesel, and Keith Riedesel; her six grandchildren Mark Riedesel (Nicole), Ben Riedesel (Kate), Sara Mauer (James), Jason Riedesel, David Riedesel, and Ryan Riedesel; and her nine great-grandchildren Isa Riedesel, Kaiden Riedesel, Maddie Riedesel, Max Riedesel, Ashton Riedesel, Ainsley Riedesel, Raven Mauer, Cooper Mauer, and Max Mauer.
The family would like to thank Chehalis West Assisted Living, the entire staff of Assured Home Health & Hospice of Centralia, WA, and the Toledo Senior Center. A Celebration of Life for Lorraine will be announced by the family at a later time. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sticklinsfuneralchapel.com for the Riedesel family.
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