Lorraine Buttweiler

- - Lorraine Buttweiler died Tuesday, October 25, 2018. Until nearly the end she was living independently. She was able to maintain her independence thanks to her will, indomitable spirit and the help of some wonderful neighbors and many friends. Her family is grateful to all of them.

Lorraine was born April 9, 1921 in Sauk Rapids Minnesota. She lived in the house she was born in with her parents Walter and Emma (Gevenda) Schindler, her siblings Bud (deceased), Lucille Vincent (deceased), Kenny (Mary Ann) Schindler, (deceased), Millie (Phil) Oberg Denver Colorado, Donna (Bob) Anderson St. George,Utah, until she graduated from Sauk Rapids High School.

While living at home she met the only man she ever loved, Herb Buttweiler who died July 14, 1980. When Herb was serving in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy during World War Il she moved to Washington DC and worked for the railroad. Upon his discharge, they moved to St. Cloud where they lived out their lives.

Lorraine worked for many years at the Montgomery Ward Catalog Store, eventually managing it. She had numerous opportunities to advance further with the company, but she turned them down in deference to her family's wishes. When Montgomery Ward closed the store in St. Cloud she went to work at Bachman Jeweler on 7th Ave. There, she loved her fellow employees, enjoyed her customers, and became a bit of a collector of beautiful things.

She was a woman of many talents. One of her proudest possessions is a trophy she and Herb won in a dance contest. She was a regular golfer at Wapicada for many years. She took up water color painting in her 50's and painted into her 90's. She created wonderful works of art, highly prized by her children and grandchildren. She refused to display publicly. She loved playing cards, from Old Maid with her grandchildren to the regular Friday night poker game with Herb, and Chet and Lucy, Marc and Angie, Ray and Betty to party bridge and eventually duplicate bridge. She was a news junkie, and followed the financial markets til the very end, regularly making some small online stock trades.

She was also a volunteer, volunteering for many duties at St. Augustine's church and school. She was most proud of being one of the very first Chamber of Commerce Greeters to which she donated countless hours doing everything from collecting tickets at hockey games to narrating many bus tours. She was honored to be a member of the St. Cloud Reading Room. She was treasurer for the St. Cloud Hospital Auxiliary for a number of years.

She was a great neighbor and friend----everybody loved her. She was mostly a Mom and Grandma. She is survived by Tom (Pat) Buttweiler, St. Cloud; Mary Jo Brueggeman, Chisago; grandchildren Cate (Todd) Cullison, Kailua HI; Maggie (Steve) Blehert ,Golden Vallley, MN; Joe Buttweiler, Champlin, MN and Sam (Camille) Brueggeman, Duluth, MN and great grandsons: Henry, Carson, Alex and Jon. She could always be counted on for a little correction, a little advice, a little treat, a big hug, many laughs and lots of unconditional love. We will all miss her.

There will be a memorial service and celebration of her life in late October or early November. Memorials to Anna Marie's shelter (her favorite charity) or St. Croix Hospice whose staff provided her great comfort.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by St. Cloud Times on Sep. 28, 2018.

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