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Lorraine Sutter

March 19, 1927 - November 22, 2017
Tallmadge Township, MI

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Visitation

Tuesday, November 28, 2017
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM EST
St. Mary's Catholic Church
Map

Service

Tuesday, November 28, 2017
11:00 AM EST
St. Mary's Catholic Church
423 First Street NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Map

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Alzheimer's Association, Northwest Michigan Chapter
2944 Fuller Ave, NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
(616) 459-4558
Driving Directions
Web Site

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Ball Park Floral
8 Valley Ave.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 459-3409
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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With a life that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want, Lorraine Sutter was a woman who was truly beautiful on the inside and out. She was a social and outgoing person who loved hosting family and friends at the home she shared with the love of her life. Lorraine and her husband exemplified what marriage is truly intended to be as they were soul mates, partners, and the best of friends. She loved being a mother, but there was nothing sweeter than becoming a grandmother later in life. Although life will never be the same without Lorraine here, but she leaves behind a timeless legacy that her loved ones will proudly carry on in her footsteps.

The decade that we commonly recall as the Roaring Twenties was an exciting time in American history. Cars were more affordable during this time as they were mass produced on assembly lines, and the world of flight was also transformed due to the adventurous spirits of Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh. Amidst this exciting time was a time of great anticipation in the lives of Joseph and Mary (Liskiewitz) Lanski as they were eagerly awaiting the birth of their new baby as the promise of spring appeared on the horizon in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1927. The big day finally arrived on March 19th with the birth of the baby girl they named Lorraine Marguerite. She was the youngest of three children as she was raised in the family home on Woodrow off Stocking Street alongside her siblings, Louise and Joseph “Ray."

In many ways, Lorraine experienced an upbringing that was fairly typical for the youth of her generation, and she always spoke of her childhood fondly. She attended West Leonard Elementary, usually cutting through Mt. Calvary Cemetery to get there. Lorraine was known to take peaches from the trees at a local farm, which got her yelled at. Even as a young girl she loved entertaining as she liked to dance and sing on the street corner for pennies. Lorraine usually spent her earnings going to the store to buy candy with her friends. It was a big deal when their family packed up and went to Black Lake, which is now known as Lake Macatawa, for the day. Their family was faithful members of Sts. Peter and Paul Church, and Lorraine attended local schools where she was very social and popular among her friends.

After graduating from Union High School, Lorraine was eager for all that life had in store. She studied at Wayne State University and then came back to complete her nurses training at Butterworth, earning her RN degree. Lorraine then spent eight years working in the unit for hemodialysis at St. Mary’s Hospital.

Not to be forgotten during this time in her life was Lorraine’s introduction to the man of her dreams. His name was Harry Sutter, and he was nine years her senior. When their paths crossed, Lorraine actually realized that they het met ten years earlier when he yelled at her in the orchard for stealing peaches! This time around, Lorraine caught Harry’s attention in a much different way. They began dating and soon fell in love. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together Lorraine and Harry were married on May 27, 1950, at Saints Peter and Paul Church. The newlyweds then enjoyed a honeymoon to Niagara Falls. They soon moved to the property they called home for the rest of their lives, located on 26th Avenue. Although they had a few different homes, they were all on this same property.

To support their family, Harry worked as a farmer, but Lorraine didn’t care for outdoor work at all. Together they welcomed four children including Randy, Lynn, H. Kevin, and Brian into their hearts and home. They were extraordinary parents who worked together as a team as one could be strict with a particular child while the other parent was more comforting to that same child. And, at times they reversed roles for some of their children. If Lorraine and Harry argued, it was never in front of the kids. They attended St. Mary's Church in Grand Rapids and also had many lifelong friends - some from their school days. Lorraine and Harry were a very social couple who loved entertaining. According to their children, they even had parties that lasted until the very early morning hours. Lorraine and her husband enjoyed traveling with their children as well as camping. They once took a memorable three week trip out West.

With her children at home, Lorraine’s time and attention was focused on caring for her home and family. She loved moving furniture, frequently rearranging to give things a new look, but she often took time out from her daily work to watch her soap operas. Lorraine played the piano some, and she loved reading novels throughout her life. When her children were off on their own, she did go back to work for a few years, working at the clinic at Grand Valley State College. Lorraine loved family reunions - and they were often held at their home and had music and singing most times. When their children were grown, they often gathered at the house to play cards.

Later in life Lorraine experienced both peaks and valleys along the way. She was a fun grandmother who enjoyed spending time with the grandchildren who lived nearby. Lorraine and Harry enjoyed traveling, taking several trips to Europe, to Hawaii, and to several different destinations in Mexico. They also wintered in Cocoa Beach for about five years. Although Lorraine was deeply saddened with Harry’s death in 2008, she was thankful that she had sons living nearby who allowed her to stay on the same property for several years. In time, her health began to deteriorate, requiring more care. Lorraine then moved to Stonebridge Manor for a few years, and her most recent days were spent at Green Acres.

All who knew Lorraine Sutter would agree that she was an extraordinary woman. She was fun-loving with a contagious zest for life that made her so much fun to be around. Lorraine was outgoing and social, a stranger to none and a friend to all. A blessing to everyone she met, she will be forever missed.

Lorraine Sutter, age 90 of Tallmadge Township, passed away November 22, 2017. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry; and her sister, Louise Kolasa. Lorraine is survived by her children, Randy and Deb Sutter of Grand Rapids, Lynn and Dean Davis of Arizona, H. Kevin and Lori Sutter of Grand Rapids, Brian and Lisa Sutter of Colorado; grandchildren, Dusty (Rachel) Dunneback, Brandon Dunneback (Jamie Salisbury), Dionne Dunneback (Dave Abrahams), Christopher, Emily, Sabrina, Nicholas and Jack Sutter; brother, Ray Landis; and nieces and nephews. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated On Tuesday, November 28 at 11AM at St. Mary’s Church, corner of First and Turner with interment in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Friends may meet her family at the church from 10 AM until the time of the service. Memorial contributions to the Alzheimer's Association are appreciated. To read more about Lorraine's life, to share a memory or to sign her guestbook, visit www.lifestorynet.com

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