Lorraine M. Kobus

Lorraine M. Kobus (nee Depa)

September 25, 1937 – August 5, 2025

Lorraine Marie Kobus, of Sun Prairie, WI, formerly of Hammond, IN; Munster, IN; and Highland, IN passed peacefully with the angels at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, WI on Tuesday, August 5, 2025. Lorraine is survived by her loving daughters: Sharon (Randy) Michael, and Lori (Jon) Oakley; adored grandchildren: Valerie Michael, Annalise (Adam) Timaji, Colin (Harper) Michael, Jacob Oakley and Alex Oakley; great-grandchild, Scottie Rose Timaji; and siblings:  Barbara (Jack) Glass, Danny (Wendy) Depa, Diane (Howard Heflin) Depa and John Depa. Preceded in death by her beloved husband of 60 years, Eugene “Gene”; infant son, Thomas Kobus; and parents: Andrew and Helen Depa (nee Mista).

Lorraine graduated from Hammond High School in 1955.  She worked for Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) as an executive secretary where she retired with over 20 years of service.  She was known to be a master at short hand and lightning fast typer. 

Lorraine left her family and friends so many beautiful heartfelt memories and traditions we will cherish and honor her life with.  Her talents included:  designing and sewing delicately handmade outfits; cleaning and painting intricate ceramic pieces; painting and refinishing furniture; cooking and serving delicious, traditional homemade meals and specially crafted desserts that included a variety of handed down recipes from generations, one of the favorites being polish pierogi made yearly during the holidays with the Depa Family and eventually with her own children and grandchildren.  Whether it was Lorraine’s famous apple pie, or her soft baked chocolate chip cookies, a family member always looked forward to coming to “Lorraine’s house” for some type of family gathering, especially during the holidays.  She also was known for being a navigator of figuring just about anything out.  One of her favorites when her own children were very young was acquiring information from various Chamber of Commerce’s so she could plan family vacations and help her husband Gene navigate travels with her paper road maps.    We also will remember the beautiful variety of flowers she attended to during the summer months, some of her favorites being pink impatiens and red geraniums.  

She and Gene enjoyed traveling to various places.  Some of their early travels included Hawaii and a cruise to the Virgin Islands, camping with family and friends throughout various Indiana and Michigan state parks, and sitting by camp fires making pudgy pies and roasting marshmallows.

They eventually settled down with two different vacation homes, one in Michigan (Sandy Pines) and one in Venice, Florida (Japanese Gardens).  Both places provided them relaxation, time with family and friends, as well as a variety of activities they enjoyed together that included watching beautiful Florida sunsets, and strolling along beaches picking seashells and sharks teeth. 

In Lorraine’s later years she acquired an additional favorite title she cherished and adored: “Mimi.”  The incredible heartfelt love she had for her 5 grandchildren and her most recent great grandchild was displayed in a variety of ways. No matter where they lived her and Gene would travel to band competitions, performances, sporting events, and special celebrations.  “Mimi” would also spend hours in the card aisle picking out the “just right” card that would be either hand delivered or mailed in a timely fashion for birthdays and other special occasions.  She would spend hours baking the most delicious and perfectly scooped soft chocolate chip cookies for them.  No matter how busy “Mimi” was, she always took the time to talk to them on her cell phone and even eventually learned to facetime on her favorite new technology – the Ipad.  Numerous photos of her adored grandchildren were collected throughout the years and could be seen in practically every room of the house.  

Lorraine would not want us to grieve in the loss of her presence, but to honor her and celebrate what we can now pass on to generations to come. 

A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, October, 11, 2025 directly at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 8501 Calumet Ave., Munster, IN, with Rev. Michael J. Yadron officiating. Friends may visit with the family at church from 9:30 AM until the time of Mass. Burial will follow at Chapel Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of money and flowers, donations to your local hospice organization or God’s Pantry Food Bank – Lexington, KY would be appreciated. Solan Pruzin Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements.