Lorraine Kettner's Memorial Mass Video

November 30, 2023, Lorraine Florence (Ritchie) Kettner, age 89, rests in the assurance of everlasting life. Lorraine was born on June 18, 1934, in New London, Wisconsin, daughter of Doinysia and Florence (Joubert) Ritchie. She married her high school sweetheart, Carl Kettner, on August 2, 1951. Everyone said they were "Too Young," but their commitment remained strong for 69 years, riveted tightly by an active family which grew to include 10 children and their spouses, 22 grandchildren, their spouses, and 31 great-grandchildren.

Her tight knit family learned to appreciate God's creation, spending summers gardening, and sharing a 9x18 camping tent. She never stood still. Much of her time was spent canning, cooking, and caring for her "well behaved" children.  She never missed events for her children and grandchildren, supporting countless activities, not only for her own family, but for students she hosted from Greece, Indonesia, Mexico, and Germany. She was a favorite aunt who will be missed by many. There was always room for one more at the dinner table.
She was a 4-H leader, enjoyed sewing, developing recipes, painting, and cake decorating. She made wedding cakes for 7 of her children as well as nieces and nephews. She also created a cookbook to pass down her recipes to her grandchildren.  The pages for rhubarb custard and grasshopper pie are tattered and stained.

As her children grew, she began working outside of her home.  She served as general manager at Rogan Shoes and Houseware Outlet.  She then worked for several years at Hallmark in Fox River Mall.  For 20 years following retirement she tutored at Houdini Elementary school. Lorraine and Carl also found time for travel, taking several road trips with her sister and brother-in-law as well as visits to Alaska, Hawaii, The Caribbean, Italy, and Germany.

Her family will always remember her cooking and baking, especially her frosted molasses cookies (which everyone tries to emulate, but we are convinced she left the "secret ingredient" off of the recipe).  Her children talk about coming home from school to a table full of fresh baked breads, cookies, and other yummy treats.  Her grandchildren fondly remember the annual gingerbread houses construction event.  Nieces and nephews always requested her potato salad and baked beans for family picnics.

Mom's superpower was making every one of us believe we were her favorite.  A living example of unconditional love.  As years went by, her great grandchildren became the ultimate source of joy. There was always more love to share.

Children and grandchildren: Dan (Linda) Kettner; Deb (Carl) Van Dalen and their sons Kris, Justin, Tyler; Peter (Kim) Kettner and their sons Brandon, Blake; Tim (Cathy) Kettner and their children Michelle, Greg, Doug; Kevin (Robin) Kettner and their sons Kevin, Michael, Carl, Robert; Karrie (Mark) Calnin and their sons Cliff, AJ, Nick; Jeff (Beckie) Kettner and daughters Amanda, Emily, Maggie; Brenda Schultz (special friend Mark), and her sons Anton, Phillip; David (Jane) Kettner and their children, Lindsey, Mitchell; Jan (Chad) Stanelle.

Lorraine will be remembered by siblings Bernard Ritchie, Margaret Rasmussen, Rosie (Dan) Schultz, David (Boni) Ritchie, Noni (Art) Gorges, Reta Wirth, brothers-in-law; Ken (Arliss) Kettner, Chris Lison, sisters-in-law; Jean Molitor and Darla Ritchie, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Carl, siblings; Phillis (Gene) Laughlin, Leroy Ritchie, brothers-in-law Russell Rusch, Bob Ramussen, Jerry Kettner, Donald Kettner, Thomas Kettner, Paul (Paula) Kettner, Terry Wirth, sisters-in-law Charlene Ritchie, Dorothy (Matt) Hoffman, Doris Weyers, Nancy Lison.

A special thank you to all those who have offered prayers as well as the many people who assisted Lorraine and her family during this time.

A Funeral Mass for Lorraine will be held at St Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Greenville, WI at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday December 9th. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m., until the time of Mass. Interment will be at St. Patrick's Cemetery, in Stephensville – 4.2 miles North of St. Mary's, on Highway 76.