Lorraine Northagen

Lorraine Marie Northagen, 87, passed away on February 19, 2025, in Brainerd, Minnesota. 

Lorraine was born on September 1, 1937, in Thief River Falls, Minnesota to W. Ervin and Alma (Fjeld) Chapman. She grew up on a farm where she helped milk cows and other chores. Her favorite farm memory was bringing lunch to her dad as he was putting up haystacks. She attended Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls, where she was proud to have made the National Honor Society. 

Her first job was working as a secretary at a bank in Grand Forks, North Dakota. One of her bank co-workers had a friend, Olaf, who loved ice cream as did Lorraine, and they later met at a dance. She and Olaf, or Ole as many called him, married at the Lutheran Church in St. Hilaire, Minnesota on September 15, 1957. They lived in Mt. View, California while Olaf finished his service in the Navy, and Lorraine worked at the Lockheed Missile Systems Division. They later moved back to Minnesota and raised their three kids in New Hope, Minnesota. While being a loving mom, Lorraine worked as a legal secretary at the City of New Hope’s attorney’s office and later as a Professional Legal Secretary at Lindquist & Vennum in Minneapolis. When Olaf retired, they moved to Crosslake, Minnesota, to the lake home they loved. 

Lorraine found joy in her family, friends, and in her many hobbies. Living on the lake gave her joy with all the lake activities she shared with husband, kids, and later grandchildren. She enjoyed boating and water skiing, and she always made sure there were enough life jackets on board. In their younger days, Ole and Lorraine enjoyed cross country skiing and were in a square dance club. In her free time, she played as much bridge as she could with friends and Bridge Clubs. She was a Master Gardener in her retirement and a former active member of the Nisswa Garden Club. She loved mowing her lawn with her John Deere riding mower and did so up until her last summer. She enjoyed attending the annual Camp Knutson quilt show and made many quilts over her years, including one for each grandchild and several baby quilts. She and Olaf travelled as much as they could in their retirements, including trips to Europe, Norway, Alaska, and other memorable trips. They also spent many winters in warmer climates such as Arizona, Florida, Texas, and Alabama. After Olaf passed in 2002, she continued to enjoy traveling with sister Eunice and sister-in-law Karen. It was also during this time that she had taken up photography and joined the local photography club. Her home soon became filled with scenic pictures of her travels and nature. 

She was a devoted member of Crosslake Lutheran Church and always enjoyed the Sunday outdoor services. 

She is survived by her sons Tim (Denise) and Mike (Mary), daughter Lisa, brother Richard Chapman, grandkids Lucas (Katie), Kylie, Austin (Alyssa), Kevin (Madi), great grandkids August and River, many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 45 years, Olaf, parents Ervin and Alma Chapman, brother Alvin Chapman, sister Eunice Schiller, brother-in-law Marvin Schiller, sister-in-law Karen Chapman. 

A visitation will be held on Thursday March 6, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Brenny Family Funeral Chapel, located at 13782 County Rd 36 in Crosslake, Minnesota. A funeral service will take place on Friday March 7, 2025, at 11:00 AM (with visitation starting at 10:00AM) at Crosslake Lutheran Church, located at 35960 County Road 66 in Crosslake. 

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16 

Arrangements are entrusted to Brenny Family Funeral Chapel, Crosslake.