A livestream of the service will be available by accessing: https://www.mtmsales.net/thomas
To view the flowers from Lorraine’s service, click here: Lorraine Thomas Flowers
Lorraine Thomas, 85, Minot died on Sunday, November 28, 2021 in a Minot assisted living facility following a courageous 4.5 year battle with bone cancer.
Lorraine Christine was born on November 14, 1936 in Foley, MN to Carl and Magdalena (Zuhlke) Chelgren. She was raised in the Sawyer and St. John areas of North Dakota prior to moving to Minot with her family in 1948. She graduated from Minot High School in 1954. As a young adult she was employed as a secretary at Dakota Drug from 1954-1956 and as a medical secretary at the V.A. Hospital until 1958.
Lorraine married John Thomas on December 29, 1957 at First Presbyterian Church in Minot. They made their home in Minot. Most recently, she had resided at Somerset Court for the past two years. Lorraine was a fulltime wife, mother and homemaker until her children had completed their high school education. Then, she assisted her husband and sons in the operation of Thomas Family Funeral Home and Pearle Vision/Thomas Eyecare and Eyewear. John died on November 9, 2001. She had spent the winter months for many years in Chandler, Arizona.
Lorraine was a member of Cornerstone Presbyterian Church where she served as Recording Secretary for the Board of Elders, Trustee, member of the Ruth Circle and United Presbyterian Women and Sunday School Teacher. She was a longtime member of PEO Chapter AG where she served in numerous offices including President and Reciprocity President and was recognized as a 50-year Golden Girl at the 2019 State Convention. She was a lifetime member of PTA, served on the Board of Directors of the North Dakota Junior Miss Pageant, was a member of the Minot Curling Club, Y.W.C.A. Board of Directors, Class of ’54 Reunion Committee, a neighborhood birthday group and bridge group and assisted with Meals on Wheels during the 2011 flood. She especially enjoyed traveling; playing bridge, tennis and golf; meeting with her book club friends, reading and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Lorraine’s loving family includes her children: Bradley (Jacqueline) Thomas and Bryan (Sue) Thomas all of Minot, Dr. David Thomas (Bladi) and Loreejane (Dr. Chris) Heetland all of Phoenix; grandchildren: Elizabeth (Cody) Rogness, Brianna (Michael) Heim, Christian Thomas (fianceé, Bailey Lee), Andrew Thomas, Taylor Heetland and Grant Heetland; great grandchildren: John, Henry and Emma Heim and Beckem and Maevry Rogness; sisters: Carlene Aliferis of Walnut Creek CA and Marie (Jess) Williams of Martinez, CA and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Lorraine was preceded in death by her parents, husband, great grandsons: Matthew and Samuel Heetland; sister: Gladys Chelgren and in-laws: Dr. Peter Aliferis, Richard (Grace) Thomas, Margaret (Jay) Fauchald and Marian (Bill) Poe.
Celebration of the Life of Lorraine Thomas: Monday, December 6, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. in Cornerstone Presbyterian Church – Minot. A livestream of the service will be available by accessing: https://www.mtmsales.net/thomas
Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park – Minot.
Visitation: Sunday from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home – Minot.
In lieu of plants and flowers memorials are preferred to PEO Chapter AG, Cornerstone Presbyterian Church Book Club, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and Shriners Hospital for Children or to the donor’s choice.
