Lorraine Merritt, age 87 of Baldwin WI, died on Wednesday, November 5, 2014. Lorraine was born March 23, 1927 in Bowlus MN to parents Henry and Katherine (Noe) Derhaug. Lorraine attended Catholic school in Bowlus, and graduated from Holy Angels Catholic High School. On March 2, 1946 at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis, she would be united in marriage to John T. Merritt. Their union in marriage would be blessed with over 58 years, until John’s passing in 2005.

 Lorraine was a farm wife, mother, and a homemaker. She loved to bake bread and doughnuts, weave rugs, make Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls, along with sock monkeys, scrubbies, and all kinds of other clever crafts. Lorraine was active in her church, attended the St. Croix County Fair for over 51 years in a row, and was an election volunteer in Rush River Township for many election cycles. She also enjoyed fishing, working out at the “Y” in New Richmond, square dancing and old-time dancing, growing African violets, and tending to her cats. 

 Lorraine was preceded in death by her husband, John T.; daughter, Donna Merritt; infant daughter, Katherine Lorraine; daughters-in-law, Wendy Merritt and Georgina Merritt; and five siblings. She is survived by her children, John P. (Gloria) Merritt of Kingsberry TX, Mary Jane (Fred) Shultz of Natick MA, James Merritt of Barnsville OK, Jesse (Charlene) Merritt of Baldwin WI, Cindy (Gordon) Smith of Menomonie WI, and Thomas (Leslie) Merritt of Eagan MN, as well as 16 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; and four siblings

Mass of Christian Burial for Lorraine Merritt will be held at 11:00am on Monday, November 10, 2014 at St. Mary’s Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 1265 Ridgeway in Hammond WI, with Rev. Fr. Jerry Harris officiating. Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to Mass. Burial will follow at the parish cemetery. Memorials honoring Lorraine may be directed to either St. Mary’s Immaculate Conception Church, or the Baldwin Senior Center. Services have been entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Baldwin, WI. 715-684-3434