Lorraine E. Handschke, 96, New London, passed away on Sunday, February 28, 2021 at Trinity Terrace in New London.

She was born on July 4, 1924, in the Township of Pella, Shawano County to the late Edgar and Ella (Rohloff) Harman. Lorraine was confirmed on April 18, 1938, and was a member of Emanuel Lutheran Church in New London her whole life and very active in the Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society. She attended and graduated from Washington High School in 1942, as the salutatorian. She was honored to be chosen to attend Badger Girls State in the inaugural year. Lorraine was active in high school and planned many class reunions since. On April 15, 1944, she was united in marriage to Victor Handschke for over 60 years; he preceded her in death in 2004. They lived and farmed just north of New London. Lorraine was blessed with a long and healthy life with her husband and six children. She worked at the Larsen Canning Company in Hortonville for 10 years, and also delivered the Appleton Post Crescent. She led an active life, enjoyed being a 4-H project leader, and was a member of the Golden Hill Homemakers’ Club in Maple Creek for almost 65 years. These last years she enjoyed feeding the birds and learning to identify the many that came to eat at her feeders; the cardinals, orioles, and the blue jays were her favorites.

She is survived by her children: Tom (Donna) Handschke, Richard (Joy) Handschke, Sue (Dave) Pukall, Barb Bressler (partner Tom Tueber), Vicki (Joe Strauch) Handschke; daughter-in-law Cora Handschke; grandchildren: Scott (Nicki), Lori (Adam), Geneva, Holly (Troy), Heather (Darcy), Tary (Jessica); great-grandchildren: Abby, Sam, Ava, Claire, Briar, Winston, Haizley, Brooks, and Nathaniel. Lorraine is further survived by a sister-in-law Joyce Handschke, many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son Larry; grandchildren, Tony and Leon; sisters and brothers-in-law: Marie (Lyle) Frederick, Lucille (Orville) Handschke, Helen (Stuart) Hammerberg and Norman Handschke; sister-in-law, Verna (Milton) Schroeder.

Funeral services for Lorraine will be held at Emanuel Lutheran Church in New London on Saturday, March 6, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Mark Tiefel officiating. Visitation will be held at the church on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will be in the Floral Hill Cemetery, New London. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Emanuel Lutheran Church. Cline & Hanson Funeral Home in New London is serving the family. www.clinehansonfuneralhome.com

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Trinity Terrace and Heartland Hospice for the loving care they showed to Lorraine over the years.