Lorraine Fortner: 1932 – 2024
Lorraine passed away peacefully in Punta Gorda, Florida with her loved ones by her side. She was 92 years old and preceded in death by her husband, Alva; parents, Laura (Amende) and Vincent Oedekoven; sister, Bernadine Rogers; and brother, Leon. She was a wonderful mother to Tim (Gaylene), Gail (deceased husband Jack), Rita, Christine White, Sheridan, Wyoming; Joe (Lori) and Tracy (Marcy). She has 13 grandchildren: Blaine, Stacey, Lanissa, Margret, Christopher, Monique, Brittany, Spencer, Katie, Karli, Trenton, Mandi and Kaleb; plus 23 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson.
Lorraine grew up on a ranch in Recluse, Wyoming and attended high school in Gillette. She met Alva at a card party and often went dancing in Spotted Horse. Then after graduating from high school married Alva. They settled in Biddle, Montana and ranched, raising registered Black Angus cattle on the Fortner homestead across the river. She helped with the ranching and raised six children. Before the children were born, she would go with Alva target practicing in Broadus. She always said she was a better shot and has a big moose hanging to show for that. Lorraine loved to sew and made a lot of the girls’ dresses. She had a huge garden and canned all the vegetables. She also raised and sold registered Pomeranian puppies. Playing cards with neighbors and dancing at local dance halls were a favorite of both Lorraine and Alva.
Lorraine was very active in the Biddle Homemaker’s Club, served as President of the Cowbells’ and was a National Congressional Committee Woman. Lorraine also worked as a part-time contracted postman delivering mail on the route to Gillette; a job she loved, visiting with people along the way and seeing old friends in Gillette.
After Alva passed, she found a second home in Punta Gorda, where she would spend her winters. Lorraine made many friends at Emerald Lake playing bingo. She loved watching the dolphins and fish jumping plus the warm weather!
Lorraine was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great grandmother and will be missed by all her family and friends.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, January 18, 2025 at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church with Father Pat Quinn officiating; interment to follow at Mt. Pisgah Cemetery. Rosary to be held prior to service starting at 12:30 p.m.
