Obituary for Lorraine B. Gresser

Age 94, of Maple Grove, MN. died May 7, 2024.

Preceded in death by husband, Lee; and daughter, Lynn Gresser; parents & siblings. Survived by daughter, Nina (Dr. Paul) Writz; grandchildren, Philip (Christina) Writz, Patrick (Christina) Writz and Danielle (Kegan Back) Writz; great grandchildren, Levi, Evelyn, Jonathan and Anneliese Writz, many other loving family members and friends.

Lorraine, a St. Benedict College Honors graduate, Osseo Dist. 279 teacher, recognized artist, published writer, prize-winning cook may be best known for her commitments to her church and civic communities. She was a format figure and 14-year member of the St. Vincent de Paul Community of Christian Education, charter member of the Regional Board of Education, 12-year representative to Deanery 12, 5 years to the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council. Attending the 1974 Ecumenical Institute in Cincinnati occasioned Lorraine's noteworthy experience of a chance, solo sharing of a Mount St. Mary College elevator with Mother Teresa. She was a charter member of the Maple Grove Arbor Committee and of the Maple Grove Citizens Advisory Committee on which she served from 1964 to 2010.

She was appointed to the 1990 Pre-Whitehouse Conference on Library and Informational Services by Governor Rudy Perpich, served as an election judge for 48 years, 7 years a Girl Scout leader, a CROSS designated Community Leader, campaign worker, reading volunteer.

Beyond family and community commitments, Lee and Lorraine's shared interests included the arts, the outdoors, and travel, which began with taking young daughters to the Montreal Expo 67 and ultimately included such varied and valued experiences as seeing the Great Wall of China, the Wailing Wall, the Great Barrier Reef, Sea of Galilee, tours of the Sistine Chapel, Hermitage Museum, White House, riding the Bullet Train, and the 1996 Summer Olympics.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, May 23 at 10:30AM at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 9100 93rd Ave N, Brooklyn Park. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Interment immediately to follow at St. Vincent's Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please bring a children’s (elementary) picture book (art, gardening, travel, cooking & baking) or donate a book to your local library in memory of Lorraine.