Lorraine Anna Wetzel

Lorraine Anna Wetzel, 85 years old, passed away on February, 10, 2026 in Shakopee, MN. She was surrounded by family. 

Lorraine Anna Wetzel was born in New Prague, MN on Jul 12,1940; grew up in Le Center, MN; lived in Le Sueur, MN for most of her career; transitioned to Prairie Grove, AR in retirement; and circled back to Minnesota for her final days. 

Preceded in death by her parents, Anna Bornholdt Wetzel and Louis Wetzel; her brother, Henry Wetzel and his partner, Helen Opheim; and her life-long friend, Marilyn Wick. 

Survived by her brother, Leonard Wetzel and sister-in-law, Linda Wetzel; nephew, Jason Wetzel and his wife, Tracy Wetzel; niece, Sarah Vinkemeier and her husband, Kurt Vinkemeier; niece, Cynthia Mullins and her husband, Joel Mullins; grandnieces and grandnephews: Taylor Haas and husband, Oliver Haas, & family; Nicholas Vinkemeier and his girlfriend, Erin Schmidt; Luke Vinkemeier; Brielle Wetzel; and Jocelyn Wetzel. 

Lorraine spent her career working in customer service for Green Giant in Le Sueur, MN and for Pillsbury in Minneapolis, MN. With a love to travel, Lorraine explored the United States by car, train, plane, and bus with a variety of friends—camping, hiking, exploring, and learning. 

Amongst the Wetzel family, Lorraine was known for her holiday dressing, sweet potatoes, mint brownies, fudge, and an array of pies; her cooking did not disappoint. Wonderful memories of delicious food and time with family at holiday dinners and family/friend events were captured alongside Lorraine. 

In retirement, Lorraine and two of her life-long friends, Marilyn Wick and Nona Wick, embraced a new adventure with a move to Prairie Grove, Arkansas. Some of her favorite activities in retirement included travel, walks throughout the town, reading/library visits, gardening, yardwork, cards/games, charitable giving, conversations with neighbors, and dinner events with the Wick, Findahl, and McKee families, visits to Minnesota, and a consistent daily hard stop for coffee and a sweet treat with friends at 3:00 pm. 

The Wetzel, Vinkemeier, and Mullins’ families are grateful for the final few days we had to spend time with Lorraine upon the return to her home state of Minnesota on February 2, 2026. Though we only had six short days; we are so grateful for the opportunity to be together. 

A Memorial Service will be at 2:00 PM on Saturday, March 7, 2026 at the Le Center Chapel of Schoenbauer Funeral Homes. Interment will follow at Greenwood Union Cemetery in rural Le Center. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the Church Chapel on Saturday.