Lorraine Halbersma

LORRAINE GERMANE HALBERSMA was born to northern Belgium immigrants, Edmond and Martha (Van Hoecke) Van de Voorde on August 2, 1929 in Pipestone, Minnesota. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Leo Catholic Church in Pipestone. She received her elementary education in District 52 in Pipestone County and graduated from Verdi High School in 1949. After completing her education, she remained on the farm to help care for her father. On December 31, 1952, she was united in marriage to John Halbersma at St. Leo Rectory in Pipestone. Following their marriage, they lived on the farm south of Pipestone where Lorraine’s parents had lived when she was born. She thoroughly enjoyed raising their four children and helping on the farm with milking, gardening and canning. When her children were grown, she was employed at Nicollet Press for seven years until 1985 when she began working for Star Printing. She was proud that she worked there until 2010…even though it was part-time after 2006. John preceded her in death on May 21, 2017. Lorraine died peacefully on Friday, September 6, 2019 at the Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone at the age of 90 years, one month, and four days.

Lorraine was a lifetime member of St. Leo Catholic Church in Pipestone. When her children were young, she was very involved in St. Leo parish work, having taught religion classes for 13 years, serving on the parish council, Eucharistic minister and various offices. In 1975, she joined Catholic Daughters of America where she served as Regent, District Deputy and several other offices. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and served on the governor’s task force on eminent domain for two years. She was a lifetime member of the Pipestone County Historical Society. She volunteered and delivered meals on wheels for several years. Her hobbies were collecting amethyst glassware. She enjoyed crocheting, reading, sewing and music. When her grandchildren were young, she loved a “Grandma Week” each summer and spent many happy hours taking the grandchildren on trips to special places. Later when the grandchildren were grown, she enjoyed making rhubarb jam with and for them. She loved to cook and bake.

She is lovingly remembered by her four children, Douglas (Jacque) Halbersma of Pipestone, Connie (Daniel) Robards of Glenwood, Minnesota, David (Jill) Halbersma of Meridian, Idaho and Duane Halbersma of Pipestone; five grandchildren, Joanna, Aaron, Brent, Jamie and Anna Kay; ten great-grandchildren, Anabela, Amiyah, Ignacio, Illario, Ismael, Hayden, Noah, Piper, Rowan and Soren; one sister, Rosemarie (Carl) Schlenker of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; sisters-in-law, Joan Van de Voorde and Carol Van de Voorde; numerous nieces and nephews; her longtime friend, Delores Runge; and many other loving friends and family members. She is preceded in death by her husband, John; and three brothers, Ramie, Robert, and Louis Van de Voorde.