Lorraine Gammel

Lorraine (Otten) Gammel, 87, of Hudson WI, passed away on November 7, 2021 surrounded by her family.  She was the youngest of four children born on March 21, 1934 in Bigelow, AR to Joseph and Anna (Blattler) Otten, parishoners of St. Boniface Church.  Lorraine attended Bigelow High School, graduating in 1952 as class Valedictorian.  On June 10, 1954, she married Stephen J. Gammel of Redfield, AR and together raised their family in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Marche, AR.

Lorraine enjoyed working during her adult life as an insurance underwriter and was well known and respected in the industry.  She started as an underwriter with Rector Means and Roland, then served as an officer of Arkansas Surplus Lines and later worked for Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.  During her years with Gallagher, she moved to Tennessee to help open their branch in Hendersonville, TN.  She was widowed while living in Tennessee, so after she retired, she moved to Minnesota to be near her children and their families.

Lorraine’ s religion was very important to her and no matter which parish she was a member of, she participated in Bible study classes and, since young children were dear to her heart, she volunteered in preparing children for their First Communion.  She was generous in nature and helped those in need.

Lorraine loved nature, music, dancing, attending Mass and spending time with her family. She is preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Anna Otten; husband, Stephen Gammel; siblings, Estelle (Fred) Miller and Marjorie (Patrick) McNulty.  She is survived by her children:  Stephanie (Tilden) Barger of Inver Grove Heights, MN, Judith (Patrick) McCann of Hudson, WI and Felicia (Christopher) Hanson of St. Paul, MN; her sister, Betty (August) Moix of Bigelow, AR; her grandchildren, Jessica (Brent) Tangen, Vanessa (Nick) Fischer, Jennifer (Fabian) Barger-Fertig, Alexandra Hanson and Nicholas Hanson; her great-grandchildren Jackson, Jasper, Britta, Bridgette, Ian and Ella, nieces, nephews and friends who will cherish their loving memories of her.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, March 18, 2022 at 11:00 am at St. Boniface Church with burial to follow at St. Boniface Cemetery in Bigelow, AR.  Celebrant will be Father Thomas Hart.  Visitation will be held immediately before the Mass from 10:30 am – 11:00 am at the church.

Memorials may be made to the Children’s Hunger Relief Fund, 812 Farmers Ln #200, Santa Rosa, CA 95405.  The family of Lorraine would like to thank those who have sent donations or Mass intentions.

The family would also like to thank the staff of Red Cedar Canyon Assisted Living Facility, LLC (Hudson, WI) and Heartland Hospice (Roseville, MN) for the loving and compassionate care given to our mom.