Stephan, Lorraine M.

Lorraine M. Stephan, 89, of Dyersville, died Thursday, March 10, 2011, at Oak Crest Manor, Dyersville. Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday, March 13, at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville, where a Catholic Daughters of America rosary will be recited at 4 p.m. and parish Scripture service will be held at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. Francis Xavier Basilica, Dyersville, with burial in the church cemetery. Officiating will be the Rev. Dennis Quint.

Lorraine was born Jan. 3, 1922, in Dyersville, Iowa, the daughter of Paul H. and Anna F. (Olberding) Burkle. She married Joseph L. Stephan on July 29, 1978, in Dyersville. Together they resided in Dyersville, where they were active in the St. Francis Xavier Parish. He preceded her in death on March 21, 2010.

Lorraine worked as a sales associate for J.C. Penney Co. in Dyersville for many years until its closing. She was a very creative artist who enjoyed oil painting, quilting, gardening and bowling, playing on local leagues for many years. Lorraine was also an archivist, recording history through her photos and scrapbooks. She spent much of her time volunteering and attended CEW weekends and ACCW. She volunteered at the Family Progress Center, was a lector at St. Francis Xavier Basilica and Oak Crest Manor and accompanied her husband Joe to minister at the Anamosa Men's Reformatory. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America Court St. Rose and the ACCW.

Survivors include her stepchildren, Joleen (David) Stephan-Mease of Charlotte, N.C., and David (Kitty) Stephan of Dyersville; four grandchildren, Justin and Casey Offerman of Charlotte, N.C., Brian Stephan of Bernard, and Ashley (Ryan) Schultz of Grimes; two great-grandchildren, Sophia Rose Stephan and Bailey Madison Schultz; siblings, Charles Burkle (friend Marge) of Dyersville, Leon (Theresa) Burkle of Earlville, Walter (VernaMae) Burkle, Bernard (Lorraine) Burkle, Betty Gassmann, Harold (Gladys) Burkle, Gerald (Rose Ann) Burkle and Doris (Alvin) Hermsen, all of Dyersville; and sisters- and brothers-in-law, Loretta Upmann of Stockton, Ill., Robert (Anna Mae) Scherbring of Dyersville, Elaine Scherbring of Edgewood and Harry McBride of Anamosa.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Joseph; brother, George (Thelma) Burkle; in-laws, Luetta Burkle, Jerry Hermsen, John Gassmann, John (Margaret) Stephan, Florence (William) Huilman, Walter (Mary) Scherbring, Lester Scherbring, Pearl Stephan, Jerry Hermsenn, John Gassmann and William Upmann; and several nieces and nephews.

We would like to thank Hospice of Dubuque and the staff at Oak Crest Manor for their wonderful care of Lorraine over the years.

Memorials may be given to St. Francis Basilica or Xavier School.

Information available and condolences accepted at