Lorraine Sheehan
Lorraine Sheehan, age 101, died Saturday, January 04, 2020 at the Olivia Rehab Center. The celebration of Lorraine’s life will be at a Mass for a Christian Burial on Thursday, January 9th at 1:15 pm at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bird Island with Father Joe Steinbeisser as celebrant. Burial is at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Bird Island. Visitation is on Wednesday, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at St. Mary’s Church in Bird Island and 1 hour prior to mass on Thursday. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Mary’s School in Bird Island. Arrangements are with Dirks-Blem Funeral Service of Olivia.
Lorraine Philomena Frassel was born on January 20, 1918 in Fairfax, MN to John and Katherine (Fahey) Frassel. The family of four girls and one spoiled boy (as she would say) farmed south of Fairfax. They learned to work hard and tend the farm in very difficult times. Lorraine attended grade school but had to forgo high school to work. She was a housekeeper for Bessie Sheehan (Fabe’s mother) which is how she met the love of her life. Fabian Sheehan married Lorraine in Fairfax, MN on August 23, 1939. Lorraine always said she found a gem of a husband and father in Fabe and together they raised their family of eight. Lorraine was a loving Mother and Grandmother, tending to everyone’s needs. Whether making food for family who arrived in the middle of the night, entertaining town baseball teams, baking her famous cinnamon rolls, her awesome chocolate chip cookies,fabulous turkey dressing or cooking wonderful Sunday dinners, Lorraine took great pride in ensuring everyone was taken care of. She was the backbone of a strong and determined group of Sheehan’s and no one doubted who the real boss of the family was. The accomplishments of those she nurtured wouldn’t have happened without her, giving Lorraine a peaceful sense of pride throughout her lifetime.
Lorraine enjoyed many things. Her sewing skills came in handy for cheerleader outfits, dance costumes and quilts for children and grandchildren. She loved the sport of golf where her true competitiveness shined. Lorraine belonged to card clubs and loved to entertain. She also enjoyed crafting, designing and selling customized sweatshirts. Lorraine ran her sweatshirt making business like a seasoned veteran, even sharing some profits with her chief sweatshirt folder Fabe (one quarter for every sweatshirt he folded!) Those profits were also shared with a favorite hobby at the time, visiting Jackpot Junction. Many times a stop at Jackpot was ‘right on the way’ to anywhere! In more recent years Lorraine taught the ultimate lesson to her family: how to age with grace and dignity. She put forth an endless positive attitude. She was determined to walk the steps rather than take the elevator. She was witty, throwing out cherished one-liners until the very end. She demonstrated great faith in the Lord through prayer and the rosary. She was cunning and evasive in games and in life. She was a caring and gentle woman with a sharp eye for right and wrong, making her the true matriarch over Fabe and the family.
Left to carry on Fabe & Lorraine’s legacy are all eight of their children, Joanne (and Mike) Hanson of Carnation, WA, Pat (Tom Higgins) Sheehan, Tucson, AZ, Sharon Tufts of Denver, CO, Mike Sheehan of Bird Island, Joe (and Mary Jo) Sheehan of Austin, TX, Kevin (and Mary) Sheehan of Willmar, MN, Susan Peterson of Olivia, MN, Brian (and Lori) Sheehan of Olivia, MN, 30 grandchildren, 46 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild and two sisters: Helen Sheehan of Winsted, MN and Phyllis (Tootie) van der Hagen of Hutchinson, MN. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Katherine Frassel, her brother, Lester Frassel and one sister, Ceil Ahlbrecht of Fairfax MN, two sons-in-law, David Tufts of Denver CO and Steven (Rabi) Peterson of Olivia MN, grand daughter-in-law, Alli Hanson of Sammamish, WA.
Join in celebrating 101 wonderful years of a life well lived.
