Lorraine Johnson

Lorraine Marie Johnson was born on September 28, 1947, to Frank and Verna (Rathman-Pippet) Hanisch in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She was baptized and later confirmed at Saint Ann’s Parish in Humbolt, South Dakota where she also attended elementary school. Lorraine then attended Humbolt Middle School and High School. Before graduating high school in 1965, she was active as a cheerleader and a majorette. In June of 1965, Lorraine married Allen Sunderland and together they had five children, Kevin, Paula, David, Mary and Nathan. The couple later divorced and Allen passed shortly after. In her early adulthood, Lorraine had moved around from small town to small town within South Dakota, until finally settling down in Jasper, Minnesota, in 1977. During her time in Jasper, Lorraine met Don Johnson and they married in January of 1985. Together they had a daughter, Danielle. The couple later divorced. Lorraine met Dennis Viland and they moved onto his farm in 1991. In 2015, she moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota to be closer to her daughter, Danielle. Then, in 2022, she moved in with Danielle until her passing on Tuesday, July 30, 2024 at the age of 76. 

Lorraine was an extremely hard worker. She was always working to provide for her kids. She worked many jobs throughout her life, including the Dakota House Truck Stop in Salem, South Dakota, the Dolton Steak House in Dolton, South Dakota. She worked at the Glass House in Ihlen, Minnesota for the majority of her working years, while also working at the Jasper School and grocery store in Jasper, Minnesota. Her most memorable job was working at Good Sam in Pipestone, Minnesota. She was the dietary supervisor from 2001 to 2013, when she retired. In true Lorraine fashion – she still worked after her retirement, cleaning and painting houses in the Hartford area for a few years.

Lorraine adored spending time outdoors. She tended diligently to her garden and loved canning. She was always willing to help out on the farms whenever she could. She made holidays memorable with special traditions that will live on through her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Lorraine was a lover of Folgers Coffee and Franzia Chillable Red; truly the best of both worlds. She will be remembered for her extensive Campbell Soup collection and her ability to light up any room with her smile. She will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege to know her.

Lorraine is survived by her children, Kevin (Heidi) Sunderland of Hurley, South Dakota, Paula Lingen of Jasper, Minnesota, David Sunderland of Montrose, South Dakota, Mary (Mike) Eliason of Canton, South Dakota, and Danielle Meier of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; siblings, Terry Hanisch of Brandon, South Dakota, Bob (Robyn) Hanisch of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; life partner, Dennis Viland of Jasper, Minnesota; twenty-two grandchildren; twenty-one great-grandchildren; and goddaughter, Melissa Newman. She was preceded in death by her parents; twelve siblings; her son, Nathan; grandson, Jerry Kreun; and son-in-law, Ted Lingen.