Lorraine Duke

Lorraine Irene Duke
October 10, 1930 – May 28, 2025
Lorraine Irene Duke passed away peacefully on May 28, 2025 at the age of 94, surrounded by her loving family. Lorraine's motto for her long life was "To just keep smiling", and that she did.
Lorraine was born on October 10, 1930, in Zap, North Dakota, to Gustav and Helen Sauther. She grew up on the Southside of Billings, Montana, in a lively household across from South Park. As the oldest daughter of ten children, she played a vital role in helping raise her younger brothers and sister. Life wasn't always easy-hauling water from a well down the street was one of her daily chores-but Lorraine remembered those days with great fondness, often saying, "We had nothing, but we had everything."
Her childhood was filled with joyful moments: tiptoeing across the street in ice skates to glide across the winter ice, swimming at the neighborhood pool during the summer, and roller skating at the local rink.
Lorraine had an adventurous spirit and a love of life that stayed with her throughout the years. Her love for fashion began in her childhood, and she would babysit to earn money to buy her clothes at the Salvation Army.
Before marrying, Lorraine trained as an apprentice beautician-a reflection of her lifelong love of style and beauty. She later devoted herself to raising her family as a full-time homemaker, where she created a warm and loving home. In her later years, she worked as a receptionist, with her last and most memorable position inside the First Interstate Bank building. Her kindness, professionalism, and signature elegance made a lasting impression on all who knew her.
Lorraine had a deep love of dancing and music. She loved going out dancing with friends, especially her dear friend Betty Starr, who later became her sister-in-law. A frequent visitor to local nightclubs, Lorraine was known to say, "If I didn't dance every dance, I didn't have a good time." It was at one of those dance halls, The Midway, where she met the love of her life, Raymond Duke. They married on March 12, 1955, and spent 67 joyful years together until Ray's passing on August 1, 2022.
Together, Lorraine and Ray built a life full of love, laughter, and family. She was the proud mother of four daughters: Lorri Palmer (Rick), Renee Hagstrom (Gunnar), Bernie Anderson (Dave), and Brenda Ludwig (Shawn). Lorraine was known for her warmth, sense of humor, and dedication to family, as well as her impeccable fashion sense and her famous spaghetti and meatballs-a beloved tradition enjoyed at many
family gatherings.
Lorraine is predeceased by her brothers, Reuben, Armine, Eddie, Walt, Willard, Freddie, Arnold, and sister, Bernice Toldness. She is survived by her daughters, ten grandchildren, Jessica Stanfield (Clay), Vanessa Frank (David), Eric Palmer, Adam Palmer (Erin), Jordan Anderson, Gunnar Anderson (Lauren), Erin Dickey, John Dickey, Carl Remington, and Abby Gibbs (Ross), seven great-grandchildren, Nathan and Jacob Frank, Atlas and Asher Stanfield, Zane Dickey, Henry and Owen Palmer, and was joyfully anticipating the arrival of two more great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Victor Sauther (Kathy); sisters-in-law Dianne Sauther, Florence Sauther, and Betty Sauther; and many dear nieces and nephews.
Lorraine's legacy is one of devotion, resilience, and grace. She will be remembered always for her loving spirit, her strength, and the joy she brought to every life she touched.
A viewing will be held at Dahl Funeral Chapel on Tuesday, June 3, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. A memorial service will follow on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., also at Dahl Funeral Chapel.
The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to Lorraine's in-home caregivers, Janae Reid, Taylor Webster, Brittney Petty, Erin Thomas, and Alicia Nolan, as well as their children, particularly Leon and baby Journey, whose exceptional and loving care over the past five years brought comfort, dignity, and companionship to Lorraine and her family.
Tribute Video of Lorraine Duke: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/NZ664J2DQS9KX2ZF
A livestream of the service can be accessed here:
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Dress for Success - 333 N 31st St Billings, MT 59101 or the Alzheimer's Association - 3010 11th Ave N Billings, MT 59101, or any charity of your choice.