Lorraine Delone Kiehne was born November 11, 1918, to Otto Kiehne and Myrtle (Hanson) Kiehne in Harmony Minnesota. Born on Veterans Day, she was named after Lorraine, France the city where the armistice between Germany and the Allies was signed ending World War I. She attended Oscar Lake School District 29 near Holmes City until 1930 when the family moved to Alexandria. Lorraine excelled in secretarial courses and graduated from Alexandria High School in 1936. She was employed at the Alexandria Telephone Co., first as a telephone operator and then as assistant bookkeeper. Shortly after, during her employment at the North American Creameries, she represented them in a local beauty contest and attracted the eye of the late Ardyce Anderson of Anderson Florist and Greenhouses. They were married July 1, 1940, where she joined the Anderson Family.
Some of her best days were at the greenhouse. She always wore a corsage when she went out and loved decorating for the various holidays. During the wedding season she would head out with a delivery truck loaded with palm trees, candelabra, flowers, setting up and getting the bride ready for the walk down the aisle. “Say It With Flowers” is truly the Anderson tradition.
Lorraine loved Alexandria, a friendly city amid the picturesque lakes, where she resided on Lake Carlos throughout her retirement at Blakes on the Lakes. Her home was adorned with flowers, both inside and out, that she would treat with loving care.
She would often comment how she was blessed every day with good health, going for walks, enjoying the beautiful nature, and being surrounded by the best friends and neighbors who she treasured and adored. She loved to cook from scratch and will be remembered for her extravagant dinner parties with picture perfect place settings. She would prepare cottage cheesel pancakes for the family, a recipe the grandchildren still use with their families. Her personal mantra was to “live every moment, laugh every day and love beyond words.”
Lorraine was very active in several community groups where she held leadership positions, including Bridge Club, Beulch’s, Kinkead Cemetery, Newcomers Club, Tri-State Floral Association, Tele-Flora, Alexandria Women’s Club, Inndakota, Theatre Goers, Euterpean Club, American Legion and V.F.W. Auxiliaries, Business and Professional Women’s Club, Member of Congregational Church, Future Business Leaders Club of Jefferson High School, Co-Owner Anderson Florist.
Lorraine passed on November 12, 2021; one day after her 103rd birthday. Lorraine is survived by two children Diane Delone Glynn of Minneapolis and David Ardyce Anderson of Fort Lauderdale with his wife Virginia Anderson. Lorraine is also survived with eight grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren. Lorraine will be long remembered as a very caring and loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend.
A celebration of Life will be held in the summer of 2022. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home and Crematory, Alexandria, MN
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