Lorraine Santen

Lorraine Gertrude Koep was born June 3, 1921 at home in Effington Township near Urbank, MN, the daughter of Theodore and Mary (Reger) Koep. Lorraine attended school at Sacred Heart in Urbank.

On October 21, 1940 Lorraine was united in marriage to Willem Van Santen at Sacred Heart Church in Urbank. They made their home on a farm near Henning, MN. The couple was blessed with two children, Lou Ann and Mary Lou. In 1947 they bought a farm near Vining, MN where they farmed until retiring in 1982. Following their retirement Lorraine and Willem moved into Alexandria, MN.

Lorraine worked on the farm and looked after the children. There were often extended family and friends filling the home making it a multi- generation household with everyone doing their part.
Lorraine enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening and helped provide food for her family. She was an excellent baker and her family looked forward to the pies and chocolate chip cookies she baked. Her pancakes and dressing were also a favorite.

In 2009 Lorraine moved to Bethel Manor where she enjoyed playing Bingo and visiting with her friends and neighbors. Most special to Lorraine was the time she spent with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Visiting with them and attending many of their activities was important to her; she was a very active influence in their lives. Lorraine loved her family and they loved her; they will cherish their memories of her.

On Monday, June 19, 2017 Lorraine died at the age of ninety-six years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Willem Van Santen; daughter, Lou Ann Daas; son-in-law, Bernal Otto; brothers, Edward, Ambrose, Harold, Roger, Ted and Al Koep; and sisters, Lucille Schmidt, Marcella Kroll, Rita Knutson and Maggie Klimek. Lorraine is survived by her daughter, Mary Lou Otto of Vining; son-in-law, Jerome Daas of Alexandria; grandchildren, Sandy VanSanten and husband, Brian, of Alexandria, Steven Otto and wife, Sandi, of Alexandria, Michael Otto and wife, Stacy, of St. Augusta, MN, Jeff Otto of Owatonna, Bill Daas and wife, Cindy of East Bethel, MN and Chris Daas and wife, Beth of Spring Lake Park, MN; great-grandchildren, Nathan VanSanten and wife, Maria, Sarah Maki and husband, Justin, Marisa Otto, Luis Otto, Brandon Daas and wife, Hailey, Ava Otto, Marcus Daas, Carson Otto, Colton Otto and Miles Otto; great-great-grandchildren, Greta VanSanten, Willem VanSanten and Lorraina Maki; and sisters-in-law, MaryAnn Koep, Blanche Dorn and Chris Koep.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 1 PM Friday, June 23, 2017 at the Church of St. Mary in Alexandria. Entombment will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 PM Thursday at the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria with a prayer service beginning at 7 PM. Additional visitation will be one hour prior to the service at church.