Lorraine Rachel

Lorraine C. Rachel, age 83, of Alexandria, died Sunday, May 19, 2019, at Knute Nelson Memorial Home in Alexandria following a 27- year battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Mass of Christian Burial is 11 a.m., Thursday, May 23, 2019, at St. Mary’s Church in Alexandria with Rev. Fr. Steve Binsfeld officiating.  Interment will take place at Evergreen Cemetery, Alexandria.

A visitation will be 5-8 p.m., Wednesday with parish prayers at 5 p.m., and a rosary at 7:45 p.m., at Lind Family Funeral Home in Alexandria and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

Lorraine Cecelia was born on January 23, 1936, to Raymond and Laura (McCulloch) Heffernan in Milbank, South Dakota.  She attended a one room country school and was active in youth clubs.  Lorraine graduated from Milbank High School and attended South Dakota State College. Following her education, she moved to Alexandria, Minnesota and was employed from 1955-1963, as secretary of Runestone Electric Association.  Lorraine was united in marriage to Bernard L. Rachel of Alexandria on September 12, 1959, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.  They were blessed with two children, Michael and Rebecca.  Together, with their family they farmed in the Alexandria and Nelson area for 51 years.  Lorraine helped intensively in the operation of the family farm, was a homemaker, mother, grandmother, and a wonderful wife.  Lorraine and Bernie spent many years wintering in Arizona where they enjoyed an abundance of wonderful friends and many warm winters. Lorraine enjoyed and dearly loved her family and grandchildren every minute of her life.  She found pleasure in homemaking, fishing, dancing, gardening, flowers, golfing and playing cards. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church for 64 years and for many years sang in the choir.  Lorraine was a member of Christian Mothers.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, brother; granddaughter; two brothers-in-law; and sister-in-law.

Lorraine is survived by her husband of 59.5 years, Bernard; son, Michael (Linda) Rachel of Penrose, Colorado; daughter, Becky (Alden) Just of Alexandria; sister, Bernice (Gus) Guenther of Milbank, South Dakota; eight grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and brother-in-law, Gordon (Pam) Rachel of Alexandria.

Pallbearers are Matthew Ebeling, Kim Johnson, Virgil Johnson, Christopher Just, Michael Rachel, Daniel Schmidt, and Steve Schumacher.