Lorraine Ruth Anfinson

Lorraine Ruth (Erickson) Anfinson, age 94, of rural Peterson, died peacefully surrounded by family at her daughter’s home in De Soto, Wis., on July 18, 2021.

Lorraine was born in Holt Township in Minnesota on December 3, 1926, to Randolph and Lillian (Helland) Erickson. She attended the Gribbon Valley Country School through eighth grade, and her life changed forever when at age 16 she received a letter asking her to be a hired girl at the Anfinson Farm. On February 19, 1944, she was united in marriage to Ralph Anfinson. They were blessed with four children and raised them on their family farm. 

Lorraine was most proud of her family and the farm that has been in the family for over 100 years, where she resided for 78 years. She loved writing letters to gather information from relatives in the U.S. and Norway for the seven family history books that she published to share with generations to come. Lorraine was very active in her community and her church. She was a Worthy Matron of the Eastern Star, and a member of the Brown Swiss Cattle Association, the Sons of Norway, and Vesterheim Museum. She was a board member of the Fillmore County Historical Society, and a member of the Rushford and Lanesboro Historical Societies. She was the clerk for Norway Township for many years, a 4-H leader, a Sunday School teacher, a member of the WELCA and circles at Highland Prairie, and a member of the Holy Rollers Lefse Group at Carol’s church in De Soto. Lorraine was a gifted quilter and made her children’s clothes when they were growing up. She was an active partner in running the family farm by milking the registered Brown Swiss dairy herd for 30 years and caring for her many sheep. She always had a smile on her face and enjoyed life to the fullest by attending all family activities throughout the years and hosting numerous events at the farm, including visits from many Norwegian relatives.

Lorraine will remain in the hearts of her children, Robert (Caroline) of rural Peterson, Rose Mary (Alan) Breitsprecher of Decorah, Iowa, Gladys (James) Hebl of Eyota, and Carol (Martin) Kirchhof of De Soto, Wis.; 10 grandchildren: Marie (Troy), Rachel (Timothy), Richard (Elizabeth), Carl (Lisa), Franz (Ginny), Brenda, Margit (Evan), Hans (Kara), Kristina, and Loralee (Joshua); 14 great-grandchildren: Colin (Kelsi), Olivia, Anastasia, Katharina, Lars, Maria, Anna, Virginia, Fritz, Valerie, Max, Maya, Hunter, and Benjamin; as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ralph, her parents, sister and brother-in-law Rosie and Arvid Hermanson, brother Herbie Erickson, and brother-in-law and sister-in-law Olaf and Mary Jane Anfinson; and one nephew.

The family would like to give a special thank you to Loralee Wetter, Carol and Martin’s family, and St. Croix Hospice for the wonderful care they provided Lorraine in her final days.

A funeral for Lorraine will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 24, 2021, at Highland Prairie Lutheran Church in Peterson, Minn. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, July 23, 2021, at the Hoff Funeral Home in Rushford, Minn., as well as from 12-2 p.m. on Saturday, July 24, 2021, at Highland Prairie Lutheran Church. An Eastern Star service will be at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, July 23, 2021, at the Hoff Funeral Home in Rushford. Lorraine will be laid to rest in the Highland Prairie Lutheran Cemetery.

Please leave a memory of Lorraine and sign her online guestbook at www.hofffuneral.com. Hoff Funeral Home of Rushford is assisting the family.