Lorraine Schewe

Lorraine Schewe (nee Schroeder)

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved mom, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Lorraine Schewe. On April 1st, Mom peacefully slipped away, surrounded by family at the Eastgate Lodge in Beausejour.

Mom was born on November 16, 1932, to Edward and Ida Schroeder in Green Bay. She grew up just down the road from her life partner, Norman. In 1953, they were married, and soon thereafter, Mom and Dad began raising their family. It did not matter whether their house was in Green Bay or Beausejour, by the river or menacingly close to the neighbor’s garden; she always managed to make any house their home over seven decades.

Both her upbringing and her character made Mom a natural caregiver. Even as a very young girl, she cared for her younger brothers and sisters. When her four children were born, she already had experience anticipating and responding to their needs. After her children were grown, she continued to nurture her grandchildren with the same care and love. Mom was very proud of her brood and shamelessly bragged to anyone who might listen.

Besides nurturing her family, Mom was a good friend to many. She made friends easily with her warm smile and easy-going demeanor. She maintained friendships and family ties within her community and across the miles. Being that social butterfly, she reached out to keep many a connection strong. Her need to serve and to build bridges enriched the lives of others. From a young age and into her senior years, she sang in several church choirs, sharing her joy and passion for music. Mom always made time to volunteer. The local thrift store was her home away from home, where she could visit and lend a helping hand simultaneously. That need for community connection was so strong that in her final year of mobility, she would ride her scooter over to Togs and Treasures. At times, those jaunts resulted in a need to be rescued, as the battery may not have been sufficiently charged, or she tried off-roading and got stuck. Her warm smile charmed a kind soul to escort her home safely.

While her children were young, she worked at the local Co-op and farmed, so Mom had little time for hobbies. When she retired, she made up for lost time. She took classes in cake decorating, mukluk making, and computer basics, to name a few. No classes were needed for sewing; from mending to creating, she was a natural. Her seamstress skills were showcased in the monogrammed and baptismal outfits she whipped up for her grandchildren, as well as bridesmaids’ dresses and Karen’s wedding gown. A stickler for detail, Mom made a prototype for many of her creations before embarking on the final product with patience and care sewn into every stitch.

One of her most memorable skills was the ability to throw together a meal complete with freshly baked bread and dessert. Mom could rustle up a meal with whatever was handy in a very short time. She would have made a great contender in the TV show ‘Chopped’. When she wasn’t cooking up a storm as quickly as any fast food joint, she delighted in trying new recipes. Being the adventurous cook that she was, she sometimes produced unusual results. There was always a variety of dishes and snacks to be had. Whether it was a meal, snacks for a few rounds of cards with friends, a picnic for a fishing expedition, or a road trip-she was always

prepared. When asked to make a special celebratory goodie, Lorraine rose to the occasion. From elaborately decorated birthday cakes for her grandchildren to resurrection buns for Easter, her baking and decorating were memorable.

Mom dabbled in many diversions: travelling, gardening, and foraging. These ventures always managed to include a giving component. Even when her hands and memory were failing, she still offered a bite of her cupcake, some of her strawberries, whatever she was enjoying. She always wanted to share. Those loving hands always gave far more than they ever took. Mom was a giver. Thank-you Mom!

Left to cherish her memory are her children: Les (Annette), Brian (Elisangela), and Karen (Art); grandchildren: Kyle (Jess), Travis (Carrie), Jared (Sarah), Brett (Megan), Lauren, Justina (Jared), Taylor (Tyrone), Levi and Claire; great-grandchildren: Aidan, Bellamy, Daxton, Harrison, Bostyn, Ozborne, Elizabeth, Violet, Vyla, and Winnifred. Lorraine is survived by two sisters: Margaret (Vern) and Jean, and one brother: Richard (Anne); as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Mom was predeceased by her husband, Norman; her son, Kevin; her granddaughter, Kelsee; and her brother Alfred.

Special thanks to Dr. Van Rensburg and the kind staff at Eastgate Lodge for their care.

A celebration of life will be held on April 13th, 1:00 p.m. at the Sobering Funeral Chapel. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of choice.

www.soberingfuneralchapel.com