Lorraine Evonne Costello

Lorraine Evonne Costello, age 94, passed away at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD, on Friday, March 27, 2026, surrounded by her family. A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, April 4, 2026, with a Visitation starting one hour prior at 9:30 am at First United Methodist Church in Brookings, SD. Interment will immediately follow to the Greenwood Cemetery in Brookings.

Lorraine was born June 18, 1931 on a farm near Strandquist MN the daughter of Gunvald and Julia (Bjorloken) Torkelson. She attended grade school in a rural school and graduated from Karlstad High School. Following school, she lived and worked as a dental assistant in various places including Thief River Falls MN, Havre Montana, Florida, and Fargo ND.

She met William Costello at her sister’s wedding and about a year later, she and Bill were married. They moved to Stillwater Oklahoma, where Bill was completing his schooling, and she continued working as a dental assistant. Their son Jim was born and Lorraine would later tell of scrubbing the Oklahoma red dirt from his diapers. Upon Bill’s graduation, they moved to Ottumwa, Iowa and daughter Shawna was born. In 1965 the young family moved to Brookings SD. Over the years, Lorraine worked as a dental assistant and later as a cashier at Hillcrest Elementary School.

Lorraine valued family above all else. She and Bill grew a huge garden each year from which she canned, froze and pickled much of the family’s food that would be consumed the following year. She was an outstanding cook and baker. The kids would often raid the freezer and sneak a cookie or bar and try to rearrange the rest so it wouldn’t be noticed. Lorraine was the epitome of wife & mother by supporting Bill in his career, providing a wonderful home and keeping track of all the family events. In early retirement she was able to “nanny’ for Jim and Robyn’s young kids, traveling to Sioux Falls during the week and back to Brookings on the weekends. During this time, she developed special bonds with each of her four granddaughters. Lorraine was a constant companion for Bill during his battle with dementia as she cared for him, advocated for him, and he depended on her totally. Their life long bond was present to his end. A few years following Bill's death, Lorraine moved to Sioux Falls and was able to spend more time with her kids, grandkids and great grandkids.

Lorraine was a long-time member of the First United Methodist Church in Brookings. She was a member of church circle, and the Hospital Auxiliary serving various offices.

Lorraine is survived by her son Jim (Robyn), daughter Shawna all of Sioux Falls, Grandchildren Chelsey (Jesse) Mattson, Cortney (Chris) Bierle of Sioux Falls, Caylee Costello of Brookings, Carley (Dan) Schmidtman of Rochester MN. and great grandchildren Connor and Chloe Bierle and Callum Schmidtman as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family.

She was preceded in death by her husband Bill, her parents, her siblings: Harold, Alice, Audrey, Glenn, Eunice, Clifford, Lulu, Evelyn and Gerald.

The family is deeply grateful for the loving care, support and genuine concern for Lorraine while she lived at Prince of Peace and during her final days at Dougherty Hospice House.

In lieu of flowers, if so desired, memorials can be directed to Prince of Peace or Dougherty Hospice House.