Loraine "Lori" McDermott

Loraine “Lori” E. McDermott, 86, of Baxter died Friday, September 20, 2019 at Good Samaritan Society – Bethany in Brainerd.  A celebration of Lori’s life will be at 1PM on Sunday, October 13, 2019 at the Brenny Family Funeral Chapel in Baxter.  A gathering of family and friends will be one hour prior to the celebration on Sunday and burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Brainerd.

Lori was born April 1, 1933 in Cedarburg, WI to Erwin and Adeline (Lueder) Hillmann.  She attended Wartburg College in Waverly, IA where she received her teaching degree.  Lori married Robert McDermott on June 20, 1959 at Faith Lutheran Church in Cedarburg, WI.  The couple moved to Monticello, IA following their marriage then to Hastings, MN and eventually to Baxter where the family established their roots.  After Robert’s untimely death, Lori devoted her life to her three girls.  Lori worked various part-time jobs until her retirement as a paraprofessional from the Pequot Lakes School district. Following “retirement,” Lori continued her involvement in education by becoming foster grandparent.  She enjoyed spending time with her family at the cabin on Pelican Lake, where life was always peaceful and serene.  Lori always loved to feed her family and made the best lasagna, green beans, and German Potato Salad (often requested for family gatherings) and chocolate chip cookies.  She also enjoyed the MN Twins, MN Vikings, Bingo, knitting and loving each and every one of her family members. Lori was strong, loving, feisty, adamant, proud, faithful and had a great sense of humor; especially when it came to her grandsons’ shenanigans.  She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

Lori is survived by her three daughters, Jama Davidson of Baxter, Jody McDermott of Cold Spring, Mary (Shawn) Sundquist of Pillager; her favorite grandsons, Josh, Zach, and Luke Davidson, Eli and Kaleb Sundquist; sister, Delores Krueger of West Bend, WI; and several nieces, nephews and extended family members.  She was preceded in death by her parents; and husband, Robert McDermott.