Lorraine Kay Peterson was born on Oct. 2, 1959, to Jim and Mary (Gardner) Peterson, the third of five children (Lori, Lanette, Louanne and Lonny). She passed away on Aug. 11, 2025, at the age of 65. Lorraine graduated from West Harrison High School in 1978 and remained lifelong friends with many of her classmates. She married Rex Johnsen (son of Lynn and Juanita Johnsen) on Aug. 29, 1991, and along with Rex’s older children, Lynn, Jodi and Kristi, they welcomed their daughter, Paige. After Rex’s passing in 1999, Lorraine married Barry Thomas (son of Rolland and Carolyn Thomas), enjoying 16 years of marriage while building a life together just outside of Modale.
For the first half of her 40+ year career, she sold life insurance for Woodmen of the World, regularly earning her place on the company’s incentive trips, traveling to Switzerland, the Bahamas and Alaska to name a few. None of which, in her mind, were better than her annual trip to Wyoming for Yee Haw Daze, her sister’s antique and craft fair. In 2002, she began her role as the loan officer and branch manager of the Modale Community Bank. She took great pride in supporting her customers and giving back to the community she loved so much. As further proof, she served on the West Harrison School Board, acted as treasurer of the Modale Methodist Church, spent many years as the Harrison Country Fair Board secretary and Modale city clerk and coached several of Paige’s youth softball teams (a sport she loved and played as long as she could). When she did take a moment to slow down, she loved mowing and taking care of the yard with Barry, staying up too late to play cards with the Petersons, shopping for the perfect gift for her (great) nieces and nephews, putting together puzzles on her iPad with her dog, Gus, on her lap or making her famous chicken and noodles or a Jello “salad” for her family and friends. And, if asked, she would tell you it was all made better with Paige by her side.
In Heaven and on Earth, her life and memory will be celebrated by countless family members and friends.
A funeral service was held on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, at the Mondamin Community Center in Mondamin. Pastor Jason Gutzmer presided over the service. The scripture reading was given by niece, Callie Schafer and the eulogy by daughter, Paige Johnsen. The musician was Rick Powell with musical selection “The Dance” by Garth Brooks. The recorded musical selections were “Delta Dawn” by Tanya Tucker and “Jealous of The Angels” by Donna Taggart. The pallbearers were Larry Clark, Tim Faylor, John Glennie, Doug Johnsen, Jeff Johnsen and Seth Schafer. Lorraine’s final resting place is at the Woodbine Cemetery.
Fouts Funeral Home in Woodbine was in charge of arrangements. www.foutsfuneralhome.com
