Lorraine V. Jenkins

Lorraine Virginia (Wanttie) Jenkins, 96 of Ellendale, ND died April 10, 2025 at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital, Aberdeen, SD. She was born to Albert and Hilda (West) Wanttie in a cool basement in Van Meter Township on July 10, 1928. Lorraine was raised on the farm, walking to school except on very cold days when Albert took the kids to school with the wagon. Lorraine and Shirley rented a room in town during their high school years. They both worked evenings at the Nodak Café, going home for weekends where their mother saved them dirty dishes and housework to do. One summer, Lorraine stayed with a family to work for them and another summer, worked at the Ben Franklin store. During Lorraine’s senior year there was snow the first and last weeks of school and she did not have a warm coat. Lorraine graduated from Ellendale High School in 1946. After graduation, she worked at the power plant that supplied Ellendale with electricity. She attended Ellendale State Teachers College for one year and then taught country school.

At her friend Gloy’s house, she asked who the soldier was in the picture on the piano. It was Gloy’s brother Raymond. They met when Raymond returned from his Army service and were married October 9, 1948. Four children were born into the family, Kathy, Keith, David, and Richard. Their first house was a mobile home that Raymond built and parked in front of his parents home in town. Later they purchased a small farm with a house then moved the house ½ mile to a better location and added on to it twice.

Getting a pail of drinking water from Pat and Lorna’s meant playtime for the kids and coffee for the women. Neighborhood birthday parties and homemakers club meetings were also time for coffee and catching up on the news.

Lorraine clerked at the livestock sale barn, then took an H&R Block course. She did tax work in town, then on her own at the farm. She worked at the Ellendale FHA office, and after Raymond’s death, she worked in offices in Faulkton and Aberdeen. After retiring to Ellendale, she worked at the grocery store rolling Kuchen dough, the nursing home kitchen, Kedish House and the American Legion Club doing the books. Lorraine helped make quilts for missions and baby quilts for baptisms. She finally retired again at over 80 years old. Lorraine was a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church and the last charter member of the group that started the church.

Lorraine sewed and taught herself to knit and crochet. She was fast at rolling out pie dough, as she had a lot of practice. She kept a neat house and always dressed well to go anywhere. Lorraine gave up driving at age 95. She enjoyed her Kindle using it for Facebook, reading, playing solitaire, on-line shopping and banking. If you wanted to know anything about a relative, you just asked Mom.

Lorraine is survived by her daughter: Kathy (Bob) Homan, son: David; grandchildren: Ashley (Jacob) Wuertz, Kelsie Jenkins, Sheri (Neil) Hoffmann, Debi (Corey) Ohma, James Jenkins, Jason (Kelly) Jenkins, Jessica Jenkins; great-grandchildren: Henry, Justin, Eric, Myles, Zachary, Makenzie and Dawson; and great-great grandchildren Peyton, Paisley and Rhett. Lorraine was preceded in death by her husband Raymond, son Keith, infant son Richard; sister Shirley and brothers Melvin and Duane.

A memorial service will be held 2pm Monday, April 14, 2025 at Christ the King Lutheran Church, Ellendale with Pastor Linda J. Schauer officiating. Visitation is one hour prior to the service. Burial at Ellendale City Cemetery. Lorraine’s service will be live-streamed at hovenfuneralchapel.com on her obituary page. Arrangements by Hoven Funeral Chapel, Ellendale.

To watch the service live: keep moving down this page and watch for a black box. At time of the service, click the red area to start the live stream. Please note the service is also recorded and saved here for viewing at a later time.