Lorraine Rachel Maertens

Click here to watch the recording of Lorraine's service: https://youtu.be/8GDQAI7IuUI

Mass of Christian Burial for Lorraine Maertens, 91, of Marshall, will be Saturday, May 6, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Eloi Catholic Church in Ghent. Visitation will be Friday from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at church, with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at St. Eloi Catholic Cemetery.

Lorraine Rachel (Van Keulen) Maertens was born on November 8, 1931, to Martha (Verkinderen) and Hubert J. Van Keulen, on a farm north of Ghent. She was the third child of seven. She attended eight years at St. Eloi Catholic School in Ghent and graduated from Minneota High School. On November 24, 1953, she married David Maertens. To this union four children were born, three boys and one girl. Lorraine and David farmed for 41 years and moved to Ghent in 2000. She was a member of the Avera Hospital Auxiliary and American Legion Auxiliary in Ghent. She was a lifelong member of St. Eloi in Ghent, serving as secretary and treasurer, as well as on the altar guild. Lorraine was also proud to have been Belgium American Day’s Grand Marshall.

Lorraine enjoyed her role as a mother and farmer’s wife. She was an excellent hostess, making sure to take care of anyone and everyone who came through her home. She was a wonderful baker who will be remembered for her apple pies and Belgian cookies. Lorraine and David enjoyed traveling together in their motor home. They also enjoyed playing cards and going fishing. Lorraine loved time spent with family, especially with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Lorraine died on Friday, April 28, 2023, at the Prairie Home Hospice Lockwood House in Marshall. She is survived by her children Dan (and Deb) Maertens of Dalton, Doug (and Pat) Maertens of Ghent, Jane (and David) Muir of St. Augustine, FL; grandchildren Danielle, Dustin, Adam, Anne, Wendy, Amy, Billy, David, Michael, Brandi, Krystle and Matt; 24 great-grandchildren; brother Edward Van Keulen; sisters-in-law Jean Van Keulen, Lois Van Keulen, and Doris Peterson; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband David, son Bruce, brothers Dick, Jim, Greg, and Harold Van Keulen, and sister Marie Rose Boerboom.

Blessed be her memory.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Prairie Home Hospice and Community Care, St. Eloi Catholic Church, or a charity of the donor’s choice.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Boulder Creek Memory Care and Prairie Home Hospice for their loving care of Lorraine for the past two years.