Olsen Carmen Emily ("Lou") Lorraine Obituary
Lorraine Carmen Emily (Perala) Olsen passed away April 1, 2017 and was reunited with her beloved husband, Rueben. Lorraine was born August 3, 1926 in her grandparent's home to Walter "WJ" and Lempi (Anderson) Perala in Otto Township, rural New York Mills, MN. Lorraine was baptized and confirmed in the Apostolic Lutheran Church of New York Mills, being confirmed on June 19, 1939.
She attended Country School District #284 for the first seven grades and graduated from New York Mills High School in 1944. She then went to Staples Normal Training School to become a teacher. She later taught at Country School District #160 and #178 in Otto Township. Lorraine married the neighbor boy, Chief Rueben Anselm Olsen, on November 30, 1947 in her parent's home.
Lorraine was a stay-at-home mother during the years that Rueben served in the U.S. Navy. While Rueben was in the service, the family lived in Rhode Island, Virginia, South Carolina, Louisiana, California and other naval bases across the country. Upon Rueben's retirement, they returned to Otto Township, living just up the hill from her parent's home.
Her hobbies included reading, writing, reminiscing, visiting friends and family, speaking Finnish, and she loved to laugh. She inherited her humor from her mother, from whom she often recited a quote, "Laugh and the world laughs with you, cry, and you cry alone". God was very prevalent in her life; she was a faithful member of the Apostolic Lutheran Church.
Lorraine served as a leader for the Otto Otters 4-H club for more than twenty-one years. She was very proud of her Finnish heritage and loved to speak the language which she had learned as a young child. She loved teaching people little phrases or words in Finnish, even teaching some of her great grandchildren how to count to ten.
Preceding Lorraine in death are her parents, Walter "WJ" and Lempi (Anderson) Perala; husband, Rueben; sister, Delores Menze; brothers, Floyd, Jim, Jess, Jack, Joseph Perala; son, Marlyn; daughter, Michon. Surviving Lorraine are brother, Paul (Sandy) Perala of Forest Lake, MN; sisters-in-law: Beverly Perala of Lawrenceville, GA; Lois Perala of Apache Junction, AZ; Audrey Perala of New York Mills, MN; Sandy Perala of Forest Lake, MN; Estella Brasel of Sumner, WA; son, Marco (Nancy) Olsen of New York Mills; daughter, Michele Olsen of Perham, MN; Grandchildren, Lisa (Troy) Henderson of Perham, Eric (Jessica) Olsen of New York Mills, Julie (David) Reitmeyer of Perham, and Tyler Olsen of Perham; Great-Grandchildren Jasmine, Tanner, Tucker, Shiloh, and Tait Henderson, Westley and Leighton Olsen, Tareesha Olsen, Shanetta, Taggart, Caitilin, and Davidrah Reitmeyer; Great-Great-Grandchild, Kellen Van Winkle-Olsen and a host of many other friends and relatives. back to top Guestbook
