Lorraine Hamberg

A life well lived, Lorraine Winnifred Hamberg went to her heavenly home on November 28, 2023, at the age of 96 to be with the love of her life Roy. 

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday December 16, 2023, at 2:00pm at Faith Lutheran Church in Staples. A Visitation will be held on Friday December 15, 2023, from 5:00pm - 7:00pm at the Brenny Family Funeral Chapel in Staples, and also one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Lunch will be served following the service. Interment will be at Evergreen Hill Cemetery.

Lorraine was born September 17, 1927, in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, to Olga and Edward Johnson.   Lorraine was the 2nd Child of 4.    She met and fell in love with Roy at a young age as they grew up on adjacent farms and their families were close friends.  They were married on September 24^th of 1945 at the Halma Church Parsonage.

Lorraine and Roy had 5 children together, Linda, LeRoy, Mark, John and Janet.  They moved several times before making their forever home in Staples MN in 1964.    Lorraine was one of the hardest workers you will have ever met, whether it was helping in the Radiator Shop, planting or picking pickles, raising vegetables to sell, or growing flowers for Hamberg’s Greenhouse.    Lorraine’s green thumb will be remembered, she would grow the best geraniums in the state!  

She was a strong and devout Christian who wouldn’t miss church on Sunday and would read the Bible every day.  She never had a mean word to say about anyone, she always sees best in you, even when you didn’t deserve it.  She was a go getter, not letting anything stop her!  She was determined, independent and selfless.  She would go without to make sure someone else had, always thinking of others.

Lorraine was an amazing cook, earning her the title of Grandma Cook from her great grandchildren.  Her recipes have become a coveted secret between her grandchildren and were even recorded in her handwriting for future generations to make and remember her ever famous potato salad, scalloped potatoes, escalloped corn and apple crisp! 

She had a great love of gospel music which she would play daily as she got older.  She also loved listening to the Minnesota Twins games on radio or TV. 

Her love of her family was evident in her sewing and crafting.  She loved to sew!  She used to sew clothes for her family, even making special occasion dresses and a wedding dress at one point in time.  When she was blessed with grandchildren, she would use her skills to make the most beautiful barbie clothing out of whatever she had on hand. 

Later in life she found joy in making quilts, embroidery pieces she would sew together and lovingly tie, gifting them to her Children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  She wanted to make sure that everyone she loved was blessed with their own quilt. 

Not only was she a skilled seamstress and crafter, but she also found the love of hand-looming rugs.  This was something her and Roy started many years ago.  She continued this hobby after his passing and would travel around to shows and fairs to sell her rugs.  When asked what quality her rugs were, she would reply “they wear like iron”.  And they certainly did!  Doing this kept her mind busy and her body active. 

She is preceded in death by her husband Roy, Daughter Linda (Bob) Hamilton, Janet (Jigs) Mertens and granddaughter Michelle Tipton.

She is Survived by her three Children, Leroy (Kathy) Hamberg, Mark (Anne) Hamberg, Jon (Darlys) Hamberg, Betty (Dave) Erbe, 13 grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren and 6 great great grandchildren. 

Her final words were blessings onto everyone, and hopes they find a relationship with our Heavenly Father.  She truly was a selfless individual who cared more about others than herself.   A true Gem and there will never be another quite like Lorraine Winnifred Hamberg.

Arrangements are entrusted to Brenny Family Funeral Chapel, Staples.