Lorraine Wotier

Lorraine Caroline Wotier was born March 29, 1926 at home in Marysland Township, Swift County, Minnesota, the daughter of Ervin and Martha (Callies) Barth.  She was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Holloway.  Lorraine was raised in Holloway and attended Holloway High School.  As a young girl she worked in Appleton at Walter’s Dime Store, Mickey’s Café, Bob Hayes Restaurant, and the Municipal Liquor Store.  In 1955 Lorraine began working for Hartford Insurance Company in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  Over the next 28 years she served as a receptionist, typist, bookkeeper, and engineering clerk, before her retirement from Hartford in 1983.

In 1956 Lorraine was united in marriage to Ervin DeGroot in Minneapolis.  Ervin passed away in 1974.  Lorraine was married to Douglas Wotier in 1975 in Gainesville, Florida.  Lorraine and Doug enjoyed 25 years together…traveling and spending winters in Cross Creek, Florida.  While in Florida, Lorraine volunteered at the Veteran’s Homeless Women and Children Shelter and was a member of the Homemaker’s Club in Cross Creek.  After Doug’s death in 2000, Lorraine continued to winter in Florida until 2003.  She then made Holloway. Minnesota her home until 2011, when she became a resident of Appleton Area Health Services –Care Center.  Lorraine was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Holloway where she served on the church Guild.  She was a member of the American Legion and V.F.W. Auxiliaries, This & That Homemakers Club in Holloway, Hospital Auxiliary and the Over 50 Club in Holloway.  Lorraine also volunteered for 9 years at the Appleton Nursing Home Beauty Shop and Home to Home thrift shop in Appleton.

Lorraine passed away on Thursday, February 8, 2018 at the Appleton Area Health Services –Care Center.  She attained 91 years, 10 months, and 9 days of age.  She is survived by a step-daughter, Jackie David of Spring Hill, KS; niece, Sandy Westphal and a nephew, David Westphal; other relatives and friends.  Lorraine was preceded in death by husbands, Ervin DeGroot in 1974 and Douglas Wotier in 2000; her parents, Ervin and Martha Barth; three sisters: Gladys Westphal, Esther Jeske, and Leota Schlieman; and two brothers: Lester and Ervin Barth.

Blessed be the memory of Lorraine Caroline Wotier.