Lorraine Marian Flanagan

Lorraine Marian Flanagan, 88, of the Chippewa Manor Retirement Community, 756 Irvine St., Chippewa Falls, formerly of 804 Rand St., died Sunday, Dec. 28, 2003, at her home.

She was born Feb. 17, 1915, in Rosendale, to Lydia (Miller) and William Rusch. She was educated in local schools with poor health forcing her to drop out of high school as a teenager. She later completed her high school education and received her diploma from McDonell High School at the age of 57.

Lorraine married William D. "Don" Flanagan on June 15, 1935, in Ellicot City, Md.

Survivors include: her husband, Don of Chippewa Falls; three sons, Bill (Roxie) Flanagan of Jim Falls, Jim (Mary) Flanagan of Chippewa Falls, John (Susan) Flanagan of Chippewa Falls; seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; three step grandchildren; and three step great-grandchildren. She had been cared for by her loving and dedicated caregiver, Kim Heller of Augusta.

She was preceded in death by: her parents; one brother, Carl Rusch; one sister, Virginia Davies; two daughters-in-law, Margaret Flanagan and Sandra Flanagan.

A private family memorial Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, 2004, at the Chapel of the Resurrection, Chippewa Manor Retirement Community, Chippewa Falls.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be directed to Friends of St. Joseph's Hospital for the Margaret or Sandy Flanagan Endowment Funds.

Lorraine loved gardening, flowers, and spending time with her family and friends.