Lorraine Lee Wattrick
January 18th, 1936 - March 17th, 2025
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Lorraine's Obituary
Lorraine Lee Wattrick passed away on March 17, 2025 at Laurel Oaks in South Haven, MI. She was born January 18, 1936 at the old Green Street South Haven Hospital, as the second daughter of Herbert and Geraldine (Gunterberg) Buelow. She attended school at Central School campus from Kindergarten through her graduation in 1954. While in high school, she was known for her yellow Nash Rambler convertible. She maintained close friendships with several of her classmates throughout her life.
Lorraine attended Michigan State University, graduating with her B.A. in Education. She said that she chose Michigan State over Michigan because Michigan State had gone to the Rose Bowl the prior year. While at Michigan State, she was part of the large entourage that travelled by train to Michigan State’s victorious 1956 Rose Bowl. She was also the intramural doubles champion in tennis and a member of the champion intramural volleyball team. While at Michigan State, she met her future husband, Douglas Wattrick, and they married on August 15, 1958 in a small ceremony in her parents’ living room. Doug preceded her in death in 2017.
In 1977, Doug and Lorraine built a horse farm on Second Avenue where they lived for over forty years. They enjoyed gardening, caring for their horses, and hosted many family gatherings.
Lorraine served on the South Haven Planning Commission, the Al-Van Humane Society board and was a was active in her Bridge Club for many years. She was also an excellent tennis player. Her sons were charter members of the Rotary Swim Club and Lorraine ran the concession at the swim meets for may years. However, Lorraine’s real passion was horses and she kept and boarded horses for many years.
Lorraine was lifelong member of Peace Lutheran Church and was a member of the Rachel Circle.
In addition to her husband of 57 years, Lorraine was preceeded in death by her parents, sister Jeanette (Seiler) Roderick, infant daughters Elizabeth, Suzanne and Laura and her daughter in-law, Susan Reeder Wattrick. She is survived by sons Steven of Atlanta, Kenneth (Cheryl) of South Haven, and James (Erika) of Franklin, Ohio. She is also survived by grandchildren Annie (Shaun) Duncan, Meg (Donny) Thompson, Caroline (Devon) Butterfield, Adam (Kaitlin) Wattrick, Katharine (Joseph) Ramey, Grant (Danielle) Wattrick and six great grandchildren Elizabeth Duncan, Delia, Willa and Greta Thompson, Eliza Ramey and Arthur Wattrick.
Cremation will take place and a memorial service will be planned at a later date.
Memorials may be made to Peace Lutheran Church or the Al-Van Humane Society.
To those who choose to leave a memory or condolence please visit: www.starksfamilyfh.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Filbrandt Chapel-Starks Family Funeral Homes and Cremation Services. 269-637-0333.
Lorraine attended Michigan State University, graduating with her B.A. in Education. She said that she chose Michigan State over Michigan because Michigan State had gone to the Rose Bowl the prior year. While at Michigan State, she was part of the large entourage that travelled by train to Michigan State’s victorious 1956 Rose Bowl. She was also the intramural doubles champion in tennis and a member of the champion intramural volleyball team. While at Michigan State, she met her future husband, Douglas Wattrick, and they married on August 15, 1958 in a small ceremony in her parents’ living room. Doug preceded her in death in 2017.
In 1977, Doug and Lorraine built a horse farm on Second Avenue where they lived for over forty years. They enjoyed gardening, caring for their horses, and hosted many family gatherings.
Lorraine served on the South Haven Planning Commission, the Al-Van Humane Society board and was a was active in her Bridge Club for many years. She was also an excellent tennis player. Her sons were charter members of the Rotary Swim Club and Lorraine ran the concession at the swim meets for may years. However, Lorraine’s real passion was horses and she kept and boarded horses for many years.
Lorraine was lifelong member of Peace Lutheran Church and was a member of the Rachel Circle.
In addition to her husband of 57 years, Lorraine was preceeded in death by her parents, sister Jeanette (Seiler) Roderick, infant daughters Elizabeth, Suzanne and Laura and her daughter in-law, Susan Reeder Wattrick. She is survived by sons Steven of Atlanta, Kenneth (Cheryl) of South Haven, and James (Erika) of Franklin, Ohio. She is also survived by grandchildren Annie (Shaun) Duncan, Meg (Donny) Thompson, Caroline (Devon) Butterfield, Adam (Kaitlin) Wattrick, Katharine (Joseph) Ramey, Grant (Danielle) Wattrick and six great grandchildren Elizabeth Duncan, Delia, Willa and Greta Thompson, Eliza Ramey and Arthur Wattrick.
Cremation will take place and a memorial service will be planned at a later date.
Memorials may be made to Peace Lutheran Church or the Al-Van Humane Society.
To those who choose to leave a memory or condolence please visit: www.starksfamilyfh.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Filbrandt Chapel-Starks Family Funeral Homes and Cremation Services. 269-637-0333.
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