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1925
2013
Lorraine Irene Rigan
Sept. 11, 1925 - May 9, 2013
Lorraine Irene Rigan was born in Chicago on September 11, 1925 and passed away Thursday evening, May 9th with her husband and children by her side.
She met her husband, Otto W. Rigan at a Lawrence Welk dance in Chicago on February 29th, 1944. They married July 30, 1945 in San Antonio, Texas. Her husband Otto was in the Air Force which required their growing family to move often. This journey together included 8 moves in their first year of marriage and ultimately required some 35 moves. They finally settled in Atwater in 1959 and a year later designed and built their own home where they have spent the last 53 years.
Lori was known by her husband, children and others as the supreme homemaker: from a tent cabin in the Mojave desert to their Atwater home, each house was transformed by her creative skills into a home full of warmth and beauty. Part of her legacy is that her children learned from her example, as they too aspire to establish homes of beauty and warmth.
Lori and Otto had six children, five girls and one boy, but their family was one without exact numbers. This, because Lori was the kind of mother who would be there for anyone in need, or to those who simply adopted her as their mother. In addition to two foreign students who became life-long members of the family (Herbert Sager of Switzerland and Sunita Dahwan of India), there are untold numbers of others who may have only needed a mothers hug, and never left. She was a person of boundless empathy with heart and arms capable of encircling the world.
In addition to her incredible mothering skills, Lori was partner to her husband in their ownership and management of Castle Furniture in downtown Atwater. Additionally she had been active in the PTA, the B.P.W. Business Professional Women) and CAID (Central Atwater Improvement District). She was a Brownie Troop leader in Roswell and started Atwaters' first Girl Scout Troop in the 60's.
She is survived by her husband of 67 years, her children Carol Selkow, Atwater; Anita Poppe Seattle, WA; Analise Rigan, Paradox, NY; Otto B. Rigan, Bisbee, AZ; Jan Rigan, Hanford, CA; and Tammy Astorino, Merced. Additionally there are 13 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren, and, untold others who considered her "mom".
A celebration of her life will be held on Wednesday, May 15th at 10 am at the First Methodist Church in Atwater with a reception immediately following. Procession to the Internment will depart the First Methodist Church at 12:30 for San Joaquin Valley Santa Nella.
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3 Entries
My prayers are with Otto and the family during this time of sorrow. Lori was always very kind to me and helped me more than she ever knew. God has another angel. Rest in Peace.
Valerie Anthony
May 14, 2013
A beautiful lady and a treasured friend.
I will always hold you in my heart.
Connie Derr
May 14, 2013
A beautiful lady who will be missed by many.
Rachel Zarkos
May 14, 2013
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Funeral services provided by:
Ivers & Alcorn Funeral Home - Merced Location901 W. Main Street, Merced, CA 95340
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