Birth date: Mar 16, 1943 Death date: Oct 14, 2015
Lorraine J. Bixley, age 72, of Pelkie passed away Wednesday, October 14, 2015 at UP Health System, Marquette. She was born in Hancock, MI on March 16, 1943 the daughter of the late Charles and Saimi (Kovala) Wanhala. Lorraine grad Read Obituary
When Lorraine and Brian came to the Pelkie Post Office, about 10 years ago, to register for mail delivery, they seemed so happy to be together. Every other time I happened to see them, it was with the same sense of love and tenderness between them. My heart breaks for Brian and the rest of Lorraine's family. retired postmaster, Marj Krumm
How unbelievably sad. My sympathies and prayers to her family.
Lorraine was in my class at Doelle. One word to describe her was "vivacious". She was attractive, friendly, outgoing, and popular. She may have been the only person at Doelle elected to the cheerleading squad for three years!
After moving back to the UP , she became active in the Doelle alumni /senior citizen group. It was wonderful to see her at the reunion in July, after not seeing her for thirty years or more. We had hoped to get together for coffee another time. Sadly, it was not to be.
Rest in God's peace.
Donna Kemppainen Dickert
I remember first meeting Lorrie in Grass Valley, CA. She was looking for a job in our medical office. We hit it off immediately, she was so friendly and nice. She laughed casually as she beemed a quick smile. After that we worked together for about 6 years until Art passed away. Despite the terrible blow we had an adventure spreading his ashes in Lake Tahoe! And with the tragedy of her daughters, she always remained full of poise and grace. She taught me a lot about life. I got to visit her and Brian in the UP a few years after she moved, and knew she had found a wonderful new life partner. I was shocked and saddened to hear about her death. My condolences and love go to Brian and her family. She was a wonderful person and shall be missed. I will always think of her smiling face when I see or hear about the UP!
It was with such deep sadness to hear of Lorraine's sudden passing. My condolences go out to those who are fortunate to have been a part of her family---brother David, her grandchildren, and, of course, to Brian. With death comes sadness but it is also a most important time to celebrate Lorraine's life by sharing memories. Some of my memories go way back to my years as a classmate of hers at Doelle. I remember how I admired her athleticism---how I watched in awe at how fast she could run and how easily she could slam a softball "out of the park"! I know her talents would have propelled her to great heights, had she been given the stage on which to perform...maybe even the Olympics! I'm guessing that she was active in participating in her daughters' sports as they were growing up, and that is even more rewarding to a mother. We had such good times together as Doelle cheerleaders...especially going to the "away" games. I remember once when the weather was so bad one evening that no bus for the fans was running so my dad drove us cheerleaders to the game at White Pine. He's probably still smiling---we laughed and giggled all the way! I'll never forget my first trip to California, when Marge (Allen), Sarah (Knuuttila) and I decided to follow our dream and move to California. The car broke down in Needles, so we took the train the rest of the way to Los Angeles, and Lorraine and Bill, with baby Michelle, picked us up at the train station and provided us with food and shelter at their home in Simi Valley until we found an apartment and landed jobs to manage on our own. Yes, that typifies Lorraine---a most generous, caring, and sweet person. My latest memory is of our lunch at the Feed Mill Cafe with some of what was left of our Class of '61. Our get-togethers aren't going to be the same without her. It is, indeed, our loss but it is comforting to know that she will find her reward in Heaven---and to be reunited with her precious daughters. May she rest in peace. Judy (Peterson) Hunter Class of '61 Tucson, AZ
