Lorna Jean Schmidt, 79, Luverne, died Saturday, Aug. 8, 2015, at the Sanford Hospice Cottage in Luverne.
A funeral service was Wednesday, Aug. 12, at First Presbyterian Church in Luverne. Burial followed at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne.
Lorna Henningsen was born April 10, 1936, to Edward and Viola (Soutar) Henningsen at the Luverne Hospital in Luverne. She was raised in Mound Township, Rock County. She was baptized and confirmed at First Presbyterian Church in Luverne. She attended Luverne High School and graduated in 1953.
On Oct. 9, 1955, she married Howard D. Schmidt. The couple made their home on a farm outside of Luverne. Lorna was a farm wife and stay-at-home mother to her children until they finished high school. She then began working at various sites for individuals with developmental disabilities. During this same time, Lorna decided to further her education. She graduated with an associate’s degree from Worthington Community College in 1985 and later with her bachelor’s degree from the University of Sioux Falls in 1993. She was a supervisor for two CCSI sites for more than 20 years.
She was a member of First Presbyterian Church and served as an elder and deacon. She was active in the Presbyterian Women and was chosen as an honorary member in 2007. She also served on several church committees at the local level. She helped with 4-H and served for many years as a 4-H leader when her children were young. She loved traveling and enjoyed time spent with the Prime Timers.
Lorna is survived by three children, Edward (Ethanie) Schmidt, Tracy, Harold “Hal” (Lori) Schmidt and Laura Woods, all of Luverne; five grandchildren, Michael (Jacquelyn) Schmidt, Eagle Lake, Kelly (Sarah) Schmidt, New Ulm, Kasey Jo (Durel) Carstensen, Arvada, Colorado, and Andrea and Samantha Woods, Luverne; five great-grandchildren; two sisters, Margi (Vance) Kohl, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, and Alice Phillips, Brookville, Ohio; and other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; an infant brother; and a brother-in-law, Jerry Phillips.
Memorials may be directed to Sanford Hospice Cottage in Luverne.
Arrangements were by Hartquist Funeral Home of Luverne www.hartquistfuneral.com.
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Lorna Schmidt
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