Lorraine Kelly

Lorraine “Rainey” was a woman whose capacity for fun and friendship seemed to have no limits — endlessly kind, loyal, and filled with love for her family and friends. Up until her final months, she was still making “new” friends, and she kept her friends for life.

Born in Faithorn on Aug. 9, 1932, Rainey had an incredible childhood on the farm with her three sisters and two brothers, Janice, Douglas, Larry, Bethel, and Norma, as well as her parents George and Grace (Salzeider) Reid.

After graduating from Norway High School, she ventured out into the world with courage and purpose, and in 1953 earned her nursing degree from Augustana Nursing School in the big city of Chicago — a point of pride and adventure for this small-town girl. Nursing (and being an Auggie) was one of the great loves of her life.

Throughout her decades-long career in Milwaukee and Iron Mountain, she cared deeply for others, ultimately retiring at age 75. She was a founding board member of the Medical Care Access Committee, which supported improvements in medical care and hospital services in the region. Her compassion, professionalism, and dedication touched countless lives.

Lorraine was the devoted mother to her four children, Stephen (Julia) Sigg, Julie Leveritt, Claudine (Ron) Taub, and Katie (Steve) Cantwell. She was the proudest grandmother to Matthew Taub, George Taub, John Mark Leveritt, Abby Taub, Danny Leveritt, David Leveritt, Casey Sigg, and Beckett, Lillian, Evangeline, and Cooper Cantwell, as well as her 12 great-grandchildren. Her nieces and nephews brought her so much joy. Family and Faith were her foundation, and her love and warmth will continue to guide us.

She was married for 38 years to Kenneth Sigg and later for many wonderful years to Jerry Kelly, both of whom shared in her life’s joys, adventures, and laughter.

She was a lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church in Kingsford, where she leaves many close friends and a supportive faith family. In her later years and in a very special way, she received support from a close circle of friends including Pat Beauchamp and the truly incredible and caring staff at Evergreen, and her children are endlessly grateful for their care. Lorraine leaves a legacy of love, friendship, and care — for her patients, her friends, and most of all her family.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to the Dickinson Area Community Foundation and specify Nurses Memorial Scholarship Fund, which supports nursing education and scholarships in the state she loved.

A Memorial service will be held on Friday, Nov. 14, at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Kingsford, with the Rev. Bob Malsack officiating.

A luncheon will be held at Pine Mountain Resort immediately following the service.

Condolences to the family of Lorraine may be expressed online at www.ortmanfuneralhome.com

Arrangements were made with the Ortman Funeral Home in Norway.