Lorraine Clausen Kise born July 22, 1917 in a farm house near what is today Pipestone, Minnesota to George and Grace Vick Clausen left this earth Tuesday evening, May 12 at the age of 97.

In the 1920’s, she moved with her family to a farm near Redwood Falls, Minnesota and attended Redwood Falls High School graduating in 1934, skipping two grades and graduating before she turned 17. She was offered a full scholarship to Stanford University in California and was accepted by the University of Southern California, but with the Great Depression in full swing she could not afford the trip to California. She furthered her education at Duluth Junior College and finished at the University of Minnesota with a degree in English Education.

She first taught at Cloquet, Minnesota teaching high school English before marrying Palmer George Kise on December 28, 1941. Lorraine and Palmer were high school sweethearts. After his graduation from the University of Tulsa and their marriage they lived in many places while he worked as a geologist. Traveling with his job, they lived in: McLean’s Borrow, Effingham and Springfield, Illinois, Redwood Falls, Minnesota, Oklahoma City, Houston, Texas and finally settled in Cushing, Oklahoma in 1966. While in Oklahoma City, Lorraine taught kindergarten at Messiah Lutheran Church which is believed to be one of the first kindergarten classes offered in the city.

As a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Oklahoma City and later the Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer in Cushing, Oklahoma, Lorraine served on the Altar Guild and as a member and Past-President of the LWML {Lutheran Women’s Missionary League.} She also volunteered her time at the Cushing Municipal Hospital. While in Cushing, Lorraine taught pre-school at the First United Methodist Church for several years before retiring.

She and Palmer raised four children and they enjoyed family get-togethers, vegetable gardening, church work, golf and playing bridge. Lorraine was also an accomplished seamstress and quilter and enjoyed her time with the Quilters Guild at the Senior Citizen Center.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Palmer G. Kise in 1998; and son Roger J. Kise in 2001; her brother George Clausen, Jr.; her sister and brother-in-law Eleanor Clausen Halloran and Robert Halloran; and nephew Randy Halloran.

She is survived by her daughter Carla D. McGregor and her husband Dan from Ponca City, Oklahoma; her daughter-in-law Leslie Buchwald Kise, Frisco, Texas; her son Ronald L. Kise and his wife, Wendy from Tulsa, Oklahoma; and her daughter Sara J. Pilgrim and her husband, Gary from Tulsa, Oklahoma; seven grandchildren also survive her, Leslie McGregor Berndt {Sean} from Edmond, Oklahoma; Sheri McGregor Staples {Craig} from Tomball, Texas; Jenny Kise Swain {Patrick} from Frisco, Texas; Jason Kise {Kristine Lesage Kise} from Las Vegas, Nevada; Jacquelyn Kise from Maumell, Arkansas; Sgt 1st Class Caleb McFall {Jaclyn} from Lawton, Oklahoma; and Carrie McFall Higgins {Ryan} from Collierville, Tennessee.

Lorraine had eleven great grandchildren: Hannah and Lauryn Berndt, Mallorie and Carlie Staples, Kiser and Connor Swain, Sophia Grace, Owen, and Noah Kise and Charlotte and Hailey Higgins. She also leaves behind her beloved nieces and nephews: Terri, Steve, Sandy and Bob.

Lorraine is now gone but her spirit will live on in her family.

She and Palmer were loving parents and phenomenal role models. They taught their children and grandchildren how to live a happy and faith filled life. For that we will be forever grateful.

The family would like to thank Ambassadors’ Courtyards Assisted Living Center in Tulsa for the kindness and care given to Lorraine during the past nine plus years. We want to thank the team from Miller Hospice for their compassionate care, and most recently the nursing staff at The Gardens in Sapulpa.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Building Fund for the Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, 730 E. Cherry, Cushing, Oklahoma 74023.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Palmer Marler Funeral Home in Cushing, Oklahoma.

The family will receive visitors from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 17 at the funeral home.

The funeral service will be held Monday, May 18, at 11:00 a.m. at the Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer in Cushing.

Online condolences may be made at www.palmermarlerfh.com.