Lorraine ARNDT

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ARNDT: Lorraine Louise (Edel) Arndt passed away suddenly at Virden in the early morning of January 26, 2012. Lorraine was born on May 23, 1941, the first of five children of Harold & Leah (Bauer) Edel. She was baptized at St. John’s Lutheran Church (Shevlin, MB.) on June 22, 1941. For the first few years of her life she resided on a farm with her parents in the Cromarty District west of Roblin and then moved to the Riverbend District southeast of Roblin. Lorraine received her elementary education at the Roblin Consolidated School and graduated from Goose Lake Collegiate in 1959. In January of 1961, Lorraine enrolled in the St. Boniface School of Nursing from where she graduated as a registered nurse in 1964. On December 29, 1962 she married her high school sweetheart, Ed Arndt, son of Adolf and Phyllis Arndt of the Shevlin/Bield District. Ed & Lorraine’s first home was the Mountain Gap Teacherage near Grandview where Ed was teaching at the time. While here, their first son, Vincent was born. In 1963 Lorraine and Ed moved to Brunkild, Manitoba where Ed was the school principal. During their stay in this community Lorraine completed her nurse’s training and began her working career at the Carman Hospital. In 1965 Lorraine and Ed made another move, this time to the northern isolated First Nation Community of Split Lake where Lorraine continued her nursing career as a Public Health Nurse serving the communities of Split Lake, York Landing and Shamattawa. In 1966 Lorraine continued with her duties as Public Health Nurse at the First Nations Communities of Lake St. Martin, Little Saskatchewan, Fairford and Dauphin River (Anama Bay). While at Lake St. Martin, Lorraine gave birth to her second son, Kevin in 1967, “A personal Centennial Project”!In August of 1968, Lorraine and Ed moved to Virden where Ed changed careers from teaching to becoming involved in the insurance industry. Lorraine began employment at the Virden District Hospital as a general duty nurse in 1968 until she retired at the end of 2002. In 1969, Lorraine experienced the loss of her son, Vincent, in a tragic drowning accident. While in Virden, Lorraine took some time off from her nursing duties for the birth of Kimberley in 1971 and Jason in 1974. Lorraine’s life was one of dedicated service to others in both her chosen profession of nursing and in her many volunteer activities in the communities in which she lived including, for example, St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church-Roblin where she was one of the first of two young people to be confirmed in this newly formed congregation, Unity Lutheran Church- Virden, (founding member, organist, Sunday School Superintendent and president of the congregation), Association for Community Living (Virden Branch) (Co-chair of the Board of Directors), Virden & Area Palliative Care, Virden & District Hospital Auxiliary, Virden & Area Memory Tree Association (founding member and current secretary), Executive Member-Arthur-Virden Constituency NDP Association, member of the Scarth Community Club, served as a leader of Brownie/Girl Guides and was actively involved in St. Mary’s Anglican Church, Virden. Lorraine is survived by her husband, Ed, her children Kevin (Debbie), Kimberley (Dan & stepson Brendan), Jason (Rebecca), brother David (Debbie), sister Brenda (Wayne Yakimishyn), sister-in-law Marlene Edel, step sister Diane (Bill) Heather, sisters-in- law, Gladys Allen, Esther (Mel) Magnusson, Doris (Lawrence) Koban, brothers-in-law, Norman (Florence) Arndt & Roger (Rose) Arndt, a large extended family and a host of friends in the communities in which she lived. Lorraine was pre-deceased by her son Vincent, her parents Harold & Leah (Lily) Edel, her step mother Cheryl Edel, her parents-in-law, Adolf & Phyllis Arndt, and brothers, Harvey & Larry, sister-in-law Frieda Fenske and brothers- in-law, John Allen and Gilbert Fenske. A Visitation and Prayer Service was held at the Carscadden Funeral Chapel conducted by the Rev. Don Bernhardt on Monday evening, January 30, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. Lorraine’s funeral service, also conducted by Don Bernhardt, was held on Tuesday, January 31 at 10:30 a.m. at the new Virden & Area Recreation Complex (the first funeral to be held from this venue). The organist was Jacquie Mooney, a neigbour of Ed & Lorraine Arndt. A ecumenical choir consisting of members of St. Mary’s Anglican Church, St.Paul’s United Church, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, The Village Choir & Friends lead the singing of hymns chosen by Lorraine and her family. Ushers were Jean Sanderson, June Reimer, Keith Wadham and Al Elliott. The readers of scripture and a poem were Lorraine’s sister, Brenda Yakimishyn, and Sharon (Clarke) Matte, Lorraine’s St. Boniface School of Nursing roommate. A touching eulogy sprinkled with humour was delivered by Lorraine’s sisters-in-law Rose Arndt and Doris (Arndt) Koban. Lorraine’s former nursing colleagues formed an Honour Guard as Lorraine’s coffin was taken to the hearse. Pallbearers were Lorraine’s sons, Kevin Arndt & Jason Arndt, nephews, Lavern Fenske, Calvin Laninga, Chris Edel & Cameron Edel. Lunch following the funeral service was catered by Thelma Quinn of Virden. The Interment Service for Lorraine followed at 4:00 p.m. at the Roblin & District Cemetery officiated by the Reverend Don Bernhardt with participation by the Reverend Robert Hasselstrom of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Roblin. A lunch at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church served by St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church Ladies brought the proceedings to a close. Memorial Gifts to honour the life of Lorraine Arndt may be given to St. Mary’s Anglican Church Hall Building Fund or Virden Palliative Care. (In Roblin-St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church or the Roblin & Area District Cemetery Fund).“I will pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again”...Stephen GrelletG. R. Carscadden Funeral Chapel, Virden in care of arrangements….assisted by Nairn –Chyz Funeral Home (Roblin).

As published in Brandon Sun on Feb 18, 2012