Lorraine Wathke

Lorraine Emma (Rau) Wathke, age 96 of Eau Claire, passed away peacefully December 14, 2017 at Syverson Lutheran Home in Eau Claire with family at her side.

Lorraine was born May 25, 1921 at Luther Hospital in Eau Claire, to Albert Henry and Lezetta Bertha (Miller) Rau. She attended the Job’s one-room schoolhouse through the 8th grade. On October 18, 1942, she married Otto Wathke at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Eau Claire. Lorraine was a dedicated housewife, and her family meant a lot to her. She loved doing family genealogy for over 50 years on both sides, providing books to her family. She loved playing cards, ceramics, knitting, crocheting, and doing plastic canvas. She made many afghans for family members and over 100 lap robes for nursing homes. She also did yearly scrapbooks since 1933.

She is survived by her son, Allen (Phyllis) Wathke of Fall Creek, daughter Jean (Dave) Herman of Strum; son-in-law Arnie Zimmerman of Fall Creek, and daughter-in-law Sandy Wathke of Eau Claire; 14 grandchildren, Paul (Kelly) Zimmerman, Jan Zimmerman, Russell Wathke, Kevin (Leslie) Wathke, Diane (Joel) Harshchlip, Karla (Ben) Borsheim, Joe (Lynn) Wathke, Mike (Krissy) Wathke, Jason (Tricia) Wathke, Wyatt (Danielle) Wathke, Kyle (Christine) Wathke, Jodi (Brad) Mai, Tammy (Joe) Lindner, and Scott Herman; great grandchildren, Kassie, Kelsie, Jakob, Alisha (Mike), Lath, Sarah, Nate, Beth (J.D.), Cati, Scott (Sarah), Jennifer, Jaylynn, Janessa, Kaianna, Garrison, Madelyn, Owen, Riley, Jacob, Tyler, Teresa, Emma, Ryan, Justin, Madison, Derek, and Megan; great-great grandchildren, Axel, Kingston, Braxton, Jace, and Carson; as well as other relatives and friends.

Lorraine is preceded in death by her parents, husband Otto (1978), daughter Carol (2000), son Jerry (2011), one grandson Duane Herman, brother Arnold Rau (Viola), and 12 other brothers and sisters-in-law.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 18, 2017 at 12:00 p.m. at St. James Trinity Church, Fall Creek. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at the church. Pastor Rick Biedermann will be officiating. Interment will be at Trinity Cemetery in Fall Creek and per Lorraine’s wish the casket will be taken to the cemetery with an old fashioned horse-drawn hearse driven by Tim Johnson.