Lorraine Leona Adella Retzlaff, age 95, passed away on Wednesday May 1, 2024, in Shawano. Lorraine was born on May 16, 1928, in the Town of Belle Plaine to the late Theodore and Meta (Zwieg) Bartz. On September 28, 1947, she was united in marriage to Ruben W. Retzlaff at St. Martin Lutheran Church in the Town of Belle Plaine. The couple spent 69 wonderful years together before Ruben's passing in 2017. Lorraine did janitorial work for 10 years at Citizens Bank and Associated Bank in Shawano. In her free time, she enjoyed baking, canning, sewing and gardening. Lorraine was a dairy farmer's wife and helped on the family farm while raising her family. She was a lifelong member of St. Martin Lutheran Church and part of the Ladies' Aid along with other titles. Lorraine was a charter member of the Country Neighbors Homemakers Club which was started in 1958 and stayed active with this group for 40 years. She looked forward to the Shawano County Fair first as an exhibitor where she won 1st place on her white bread for several years and then as an exhibitor manager for 25 years. Lorraine will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

Lorraine is survived by her three children, James (Mae) Retzlaff, Curtis (Wendy) Retzlaff and Kathleen Samens; seven grandchildren, Cory (Kris) Retzlaff, Mark (Rebecca) Retzlaff, Ryan (Maria) Samens, Stephanie (Matt) Repke, Bethany Retzlaff, Craig (Danielle) Retzlaff and Jon (Alexis) Retzlaff; 18 great-grandchildren; and sister, Lorna Shelton.

Lorraine is preceded in death by her husband, Ruben; son-in-law, Peter Samens; brothers-in-law, James Shelton and Roland (Betty) Retzlaff; sister-in-law, Alice (Melvin) Blank; and parents, Theodore and Meta.

A funeral service for Lorraine will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday May 11, 2024, at St. Martin Lutheran Church in the Town of Belle Plaine with Pastor Kurt Kluge officiating. Visitation will be held at the church on Saturday starting at 9:30 am and continue until the time of service. Burial will be held at the church cemetery. Memorial donations may be directed to St. Martin Lutheran Church Town of Belle Plaine Education Grant Fund.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Evergreen for their care and compassion.