Lorraine Pauline Willette, a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and nurse, died March 17, 2026, at the United Hospital District hospital in Blue Earth. She was 89.

Lorraine was born at home in Kossuth County, Iowa, to Burton and Tressa Butler on July 16, 1936, one of the hottest days anyone could remember. The family tried to cool the room by hanging wet sheets on the windows and using the fan on the doctor’s car to blow air through them.

She graduated from Delavan High School in 1954 and continued her education at the Naeve Hospital School of Nursing in Albert Lea, becoming a registered nurse at a time when students were not allowed to sleep until they had starched their white caps and uniforms and were required to stand when doctors entered the nurses’ station.

During her career, Lorraine worked at hospitals in Blue Earth and Winnebago, St. Luke's Lutheran Care Center, Fountain Lake Adolescent Treatment Center, and PrairieLand Home Care. She was compassionate yet direct with her patients and unafraid to question doctors and conventional wisdom.

Lorraine married Pierre Willette on Sept. 13, 1958. They were high school sweethearts. He was the captain of the football team; she was the head cheerleader. Their children delighted in the yearbook photo of Pierre crowning Lorraine homecoming queen.

She was kind and nurturing, loyal and strong — the center of family life for her children and grandchildren. Her home was filled with delicious food, lively conversation, music and laughter. She could tell a good story. She was also a source of knowledge and wisdom — whether on health concerns, relationships, child rearing or how to make a perfect apple pie. Her guiding tenet was the Serenity Prayer.

Lorraine enjoyed winters in Arizona and driving vacations through the West, during which she and Pierre sought out Native American artists and supported their work. She loved red geraniums, warm sunshine and puttering around in her garden.

Lorraine is survived by children Anne (James Healey), Jone (Rick) Brashears, Deborah, Charlotte and Stephen (Sara); 10 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

She is also survived by sister Donna (Marlin) Blair and Joyce (Richard) Scofield. She was preceded in death by her husband Pierre; parents; brothers Harold and Richard; sister Janis; and son-in-law Rick.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 2 p.m. April 6 at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Blue Earth. Visitation will be at 1 p.m. at the church.