Lorraine Vetsch passed away peacefully June 26, 2009 at her home and in the presence of her family after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was 70.

Lorraine was born April 22, 1939 to Pete and Hilda Behselich of Ipswich, SD. An only child, she grew up on a farm south of town. She was the 1957 class valedictorian of Ipswich High School. In the fall of 1957, she moved to Huron, SD to attend secretarial school. Upon her graduation from Northwest College of Commerce in 1958, where she was again the class valedictorian, Lorraine moved to Rochester to work at the Mayo Clinic.

Lorraine married Allen Vetsch June 4, 1960. They recently celebrated their 49 ^th wedding anniversary. She devoted her life to caring for her husband and children and working as the company bookkeeper for the family business. Lorraine loved gardening and had a particular fondness for flowers. She and Allen had many travels together, driving across America, and even made a trip to Alaska in 1973. An avid crocheter, Lorraine especially enjoyed making baby afghans to mark the arrival of a new grandchild.

She is survived by her husband, Allen, and her four married children: Linda Ambrose and her husband Michael of Stewartville, MN, Leonard and Nanette Vetsch of Elk Mound, WI, Peter and Erica Vetsch of Rochester, MN and David and Jodi Vetsch of Stewartville.

She took special delight in her ten grandchildren: Joe Ambrose, Heather Vetsch, Tim Ambrose, Troy Vetsch, James Vetsch, Jacob Vetsch, Karlie Vetsch, Madeline Vetsch, Nathan Vetsch, and Nicholas Vetsch. Other beloved members of her family include two sisters-in-law, Gladys Vetsch of Winona, MN and Katherine Vetsch of Houston, MN, and eleven nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend their special thanks to the caregivers from Seasons Hospice, and to Dee Smith of the Mayo Clinic, who all gave their love and support, assisting the family to fulfill Lorraine's wishes to remain in her own home. The family would also like to thank the many friends and family who visited and made her last days so happy.

A viewing will be held June 30, 2009, at Macken Funeral Home from 5 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Cornerstone Evangelical Free Church of Rochester, July 1, 2009 at 11 a.m. with the Reverend Kevin Sorensen officiating.  Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Gardens with a luncheon to follow.

Memorial gifts can be made to Mayo Clinic Cancer Research, The American Cancer Society, or Seasons Hospice.