Lorraine June Skaalure, 94, passed away June 19, 2017, in Helena MT. She was born March 21, 1923, in Havre MT to G.O. Omlie and Clara Iverson. Lorraine was preceded in death by her parents, husband Dale, brother James O. Omlie, son-in-law Dennis Stevens and sister-in-law Mary Wright Omlie. She is survived by her sister Virginia, brother Don Omlie (Shirley), brother-in-law and sister-in-law Glenn and Jere Skaalure, sister-in-law Dell Everaert, 10 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, and five children: Arne (Cindy), Signe, Kirsten (Ron), Kevin (Kristine) and Heidi (Craig).
Lorraine was a “city girl” before meeting Dale, the love of her life, at a Luther League convention while she attended Northern Montana College in Havre. After graduating from Concordia College-Moorhead MN and teaching a year at Havre High, she married that Big Sandy farmer/rancher, and started new careers of farming and raising a family on the Skaalure homestead. Lorraine was actively involved with Christ Lutheran Church, its Ladies Aid, council and Sunday School, the Rotary Club, the Lone Tree Women’s Club, Chouteau County Republicans, and Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp. Lorraine and Dale were married 68 years until he died in 2014.
Lorraine and Dale loved to travel and saw many places together—two highlights being a trip to Helsinki, Finland in 1963 for a Lutheran World Federation meeting, and in 1996 a 50th wedding anniversary trip to Disney World with their 5 children and their families. Faith, family, country, friends, community and their love for each other were Lorraine and Dale’s shared passions. Recently in her own words: “I love our family most of all. They have been good helpers, people to be proud of, and the attention given me in my later years has been a real blessing.” Mom Lorraine was too modest to admit she was the Blessing of Blessings to her family.
Lorraine was a caring, sharing, kind and faith-filled wife, mother, grandmother and sister. She was a friend to many who knew her by her quick wit, generosity, confidence and loving ways. Lorraine was grateful for the professionalism and care of the Touchmark staff and the companionship of the many new friends she and Dale made there the last six years.
A memorial service celebrating Lorraine’s life will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday, June 25th at Saint John’s Lutheran Church, 1000 Helena Avenue. A reception will immediately follow the service in the social hall of the church. Private interment will be Monday at the Montana State Veteran’s Cemetery, Fort Harrison. Memorials are suggested to Christ Lutheran Church, Big Sandy MT, or Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp, Kalispell MT. Funeral services are 2pm, Sunday, June 25, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Helena MT. Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Lorraine.
Adel Johnson says
Kevin, sorry to hear about you and your family’s loss.
Deb says
Kevin and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. What an amazing woman and was and I will greatly miss her smile and wit at her doctor visits. Now she can be with her beloved husband Dale. Rest in peace sweet Lorraine.
Lee & Kristi Paulsen says
Kevin and family,
We are sorry to hear about your mom. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Pastor Joe Behnke says
God’s Blessings and Peace be to you and your family!
Bob and Sharon Dey says
We always enjoyed when Dale and Lorraine came to Houston . Their joy-filled smiles and happiness was a blessing to all of us. We grieve with you as you lay your Mother to rest but we also rejoice knowing she is “home” and in her final resting place with Dale and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
With our Love, Bob and Sharon Dey
Elin says
Sweet Aunt Lorraine- my amazing, wonderful and awesome Godmother, who was a friend to so many and loved by so many. An incredible mother to her lovely children and wife to Dale. So many mixed emotions I have-a heavy heart that she is no longer with us but so happy that she is with God and those she loved that passed on before her. Our hugs, prayers and sympathies to my beautiful cousins and their families during this difficult time. We love you all.
Terry, Elin, Derek and Cameron Rudd
Barb and Tom Albrecht says
We were so sorry to hear about your mom’s passing. It was such a pleasure knowing her and your dad. While at Touchmark, Lorraine would visit your dad every day and frequently checked in on my mom, Vi, who dearly loved visiting with her. Having the common bond with Concordia made it even more special. Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Jane Carlson says
Heidi, Craig and family,
I’m very sorry for your loss. May the memories and love she provided help to sustain you through these tough times.
Jane Carlson
Helen Richter says
Heidi, sorry to hear about your Moms’ death, she was a wonderful lady and I am sure you have wonderful memories of her. God bless and much love to you and your family. Helen.
Nancy Gullickson says
Growing up, Lorraine and Dale and their wonderful family were some of the my favorite people from Christ Lutheran Church in Big Sandy. I always loved seeing and hearing from them with their beautiful smiles and quick wit!
Please know how sorry I am for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Bonnie says
Lorraine will be missed. Love visiting her at Touchmark and here in Big Sandy at church always. A wonderful family and I know the children will continue to show this love. Rest In Peace and my thoughts and prayers are with all of you kids.
Ruth Hlavnicka says
Heidi & family, I’m so sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. She was such a sweet lady and always had a kind word when I saw her. You & yours are in my thoughts and prayers.
Dan and Linda Kidd says
Our condolences….we enjoyed this family for so many years….pleasant memories.
Dan & Sparky Danreuther says
Arnie, Signe, Kirsten, Kevin and Heidi, Dan and I would like to send you our sincerest sympathy. I have many wonderful memories of your mother during our years of Sunday School. What a wonderful lady she was, a woman of strong faith and always had a smile when she saw you. She will be sorely missed. Our love and prayers are with you at this sad time.
Arleen (Sorensen) Sawitzke says
Love and prayers to the family. I hope the memories you all share and will continue to share help to bring a sense of peace and happiness at this time. Arleen
Ron and Ladene Mangold says
A grand lady was she. My folks always enjoyed the friendship established so many years ago. Our thoughts are with each of you “kids” and know that the memories of your parents will live on in their characteristics you each share.
Charlie and Lil Foussard says
Lil and I send our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to Lorraine’s entire family. Dale and Lorraine were both stellar members of our Big Sandy community, and they will be truly missed forever!
Larry & Deanna Hay says
Signe & Family….Larry & I send our heartfelt sympathy with the loss of your loving mother.. she was indeed a very special lady.. She & Dale raised a wonderful family….Our thoughts & prayers to each of you…
Ida Steven says
Kirsten, Arne, Signe, Kevin and Heidi,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families at this time of Lorraine’s passing.
She is a friend of friends, sending birthday cards for 55 years and calling often through the years.
I still smile at her reaction to hitting a stray cow’s head that had wandered on the edge of the hi-way as she drove us kids to Havre. “Oh!” she exclaimed, hoping it would be okay there in the dark Montana night.
One time she shared with me how reading a particular scripture as a young girl, she knew her faith and that it never waivered.
I will miss this lady so much.
Thinking of all of you as you grieve and send her with all her blessings.
Marj & Brad Nelson says
Arne, Signe,Kirsten, Kevin and Heidi,
Your parents were wonderful people who have been very special to us since the friendship began between our parents. When we moved to Big Sandy, your mother was one of the first persons to visit us in our new home. I always
considered and loved her as a second mother. The past four years were extra special to us because we were able to get reacquainted with her at Touchmark. We loved her humor and Brad loved teasing her about ice cream. I will really miss her quick wit and her beautiful smile.
We are there with you in spirit today and remember that you are all in our thoughts and prayers. Our memorial will
be a paver with her name inscribed on the patio at Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp. Marj & Brad
Ron and Adele Otto says
Lorraine was a dear, sweet lady. She always had a smile on her face and a little smirk once in awhile. We loved visiting with both your parents in Rotary and just around town. We know you will miss her and keep her memory in your hearts forever.
Robert and Earl Boettcher says
Arne,Signe,Kirsten,Kevin, And Heidi
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time of loss of your mother. It has been a blessing to have known both of your parents and all of you as a family.
Mary Stephens says
Am so sorry for loss of your mom. Sounds like your mom had a beautiful full life. Will keep you and family in my prayers. Love Mary S
Kim Wiest says
I knew Lorraine & Dale through church meetings and gatherings. I enjoyed them and admired their integrity. May God bless your family with good memories to uplift you and may the LORD comfort you with His love.
Tim and Stephanie Hanson says
My dad, Jim Hanson, and my uncle, Rolf Hanson, were Lutheran pastors who served churches in central and eastern Montana in the 1950s and 1960s. They both knew Dale and Lorraine as legends in Montana for their faithfulness and leadership in the church. These qualities have carried on in the children and grandchildren we know. What a great legacy they have built here on earth, and what a great celebration they are enjoying with the great cloud of witnesses in heaven. Our love to your family.
Colleen Benton says
Prayers and blessings to you all!
Henry & Vanette Nagamori says
Our condolences on your loss.
Demrece Keller says
I was looking for a recipe the other day and I came across Lorraine’s Fluffy Marshmallow Icing. I had to smile. Although Cinda and I were never successful at making it (and we tried several times) we sure enjoyed the cake your mom was known for at our church potlucks. I loved your parents. I can still picture your father after church with a big grin and a hug when I greeted him with “Hello Handsome”. Your mom would get her cute little smirk on her face and share a few words of wisdom with me….. Your parents were a very important part of my church family as I was growing up and I will always cherish that. It saddens me that we have lost so many wonderful people from that generation, but what joy we’ll experience when we are be reunited with them again! Love to all and God Bless!