March 2, 2020 – Mayville, WI – Lorraine Marie Small (nee Rauch) entered eternal life on February 28, 2020 at her home in Mayville.
Lorraine was born to George and Mary (nee Novohradsky) Rauch on March 11, 1928 in Milwaukee. She was baptized on March 25, 1928. She leaves behind her dear brother-in-law, John Wegener; her dear step-son, Jeff (Cecile) Small and their children, Andrew and Christina; her dear nieces and nephews, Roxie, Randy, Caryn, Jeff, and their families; as well as many dear friends.
She is also survived by Lois Seiberlich with whom she has shared not only a faithful friendship, but also a mutually supportive spiritual journey, rock-solid for fifty-four years. Also our dear friend Jessie.
Lorraine was preceded in death by her husband, Harlan Small; two sisters, Virginia (John) Lippold and Phyllis Wegener; and nephew, David DeSpears.
Lorraine became a member of the School Sisters of St. Francis in 1946. She taught in Chicago and Milwaukee at elementary, secondary and college schools until she left the Community in 1972. She was always grateful for those years of opportunity, challenges, and friendships that became the foundation of her spiritual and academic life. In 1973, she began a fifteen year term of teaching at Waukesha County Technical College. She married Harlan Small in 1977 and grieved his death in 1986. Two years later she retired from teaching and joined her good friend, Lois Seiberlich, as a volunteer with the Little Sisters of the Poor at St. Anne’s Home for the Elderly in Milwaukee. Those next fifteen years deepened her appreciation and love for the elderly who shared their friendship with Lois and her. In 2005, Lorraine and Lois moved from Milwaukee to Horicon, where they again widened their circle of friends and neighbors. They became members of St. Mary’s Parish in Mayville, which became for them, with Father Tom Biersack and the many wonderful people of the Parish, such a beautiful family community and so enriched their spiritual life.
In February of 2019, Lorraine and Lois moved to Mayville. As Lorraine’s health was failing, she joined Marquardt Hospice (Watertown) at her home in April of 2019. We can’t express our gratitude to everyone involved with Lorraine (and Lois) for their love, care, support and bonding; with our special love and gratitude to Shari and Barb, who we so treasure.
In the twelve days of her dying process, Lorraine gave us the most beautiful gift: her strong desire and readiness to go to God, giving us a beautiful example of dying in peace, love, self-surrender, and trust in Jesus. She will continue praying for all of us.
Mass of Christian Burial for Lorraine will be held at 12:00 on Friday, March 6, 2020 at St. Mary’s Catholic Parish, 112 S German St. – Mayville, WI 53050, with Rev. Tom Biersack officiating. Entombment will be Saturday, March 7 at 11:00 a.m. at Wisconsin Memorial Park in Brookfield.
Lorraine’s dear friends and family will hold a visitation at Church on Friday from 10 a.m. until time of Mass. Memorials may be given to St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Mayville or to Marquardt Hospice in Watertown.
Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Lorraine’s arrangements.
In the twelve days of her dying process, Lorraine said some beautiful things. I’d like to share them with you.
After the first day: “Will I probably stay in bed now?” I said, Ya, probably. “Good. That’s humbling. Something to give.”
“Jessie, I’ll give your love to Alaina.”
“I’m glad it’s coming like this. For you too. And for everyone involved. And for me with God.”
“I’m at peace.”
“I didn’t know it would be this easy.”
“I feel only happiness.”
Talking to her about Heaven and all the people greeting her. “I have so little energy, I don’t think I’ll even be able to talk.”
“I was wanting to tell you. I was thinking about the Resurrection. And Mary, frantic, ‘I don’t know where they put Him.’ To the gardener, ‘Where did you put Him?’ And Jesus said ‘MARY’.” Her whole face brightened, her eyes and mouth wide open in surprised delight. “MARY. MARY”
In very clear words: “This is a different perspective.”
She was always offering something to God, for souls, for people to turn to God, or come back to God. As the days went on she said, “I didn’t think it would take this long.” I said, You can offer your waiting to God. To help souls. She said, “Oh good. Thank you for telling me that.”
She waved her arm up across her, “God and the Angels are here.”
Jessie and Shari were sitting on either side of her on her bed. She looked up, “Hi Alaina!”
“Where are you?” I said, I’m here. “Where are you?” I said, are you talking to me or to Jesus?
“Is there a light on?”
Gazing toward the window, she said, “That lady.” I said, Is it Mary? She smiled. Pause. “Wow”. Pause. “OK” Her face was serene, her eyes almost smiling.
On the 9th and 10th Day, “Up, up, up” “Almost there. Almost there.”
