Lorraine M. Walske

Lorraine Mary Walske, age 86, of Winona, and formerly of Trempealeau, WI, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at Winona Health, following a brief illness.

Lorraine was born on October 3, 1937, in Winona, MN, to Theodore and Florence (Theis) Jereczek. She attended St. Stanislaus Grade School in Winona and graduated from the Winona Senior High School in 1955. Upon graduating high school, Lorraine went to work for the Hayes-Lucas Lumber Exchange (UBC). After nine years with UBC, she worked for many years with the Prudential Insurance Company in Winona until her retirement. 

She married James F. Walske on July 20, 1957, at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in Winona. They moved to the Walske family farm in Centerville, WI, where they lived their entire married life, enjoying many happy years in the country with friends and relatives. Jim passed away in 2010.

After Jim’s death, Lorraine moved back to Winona where she enjoyed attending exercise at the Winona Senior Friendship Center. She was an avid reader and spent many enjoyable hours at the Winona Public Library and talking with the librarians there. She volunteered at the Polish Museum for many years including serving on the board and holding office as president. She was a member of the Basilica of St. Stanislaus Kostka.

Lorraine is lovingly survived by her sister: Jean Miller, Twin Falls, ID; brother: Michael J. Jereczek (Jan Sigmund), St. Paul, MN; several beloved nieces and nephews; as well as many special friends, neighbors, and relatives, including a special friend, Dan Dzwonkowski. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jim Walske; sister: Shirley Jereczek; brother-in-law: Jim Miller; sister-in-law: Joanne Jereczek; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law: Mary and George Barry.

Funeral services will be held at noon on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at the Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home, 376 E. Sarnia St., Winona. Deacon Justin Green of the Basilica of St. Stanislaus Kostka will officiate. Following the service, burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery in Trempealeau, WI, where she will be laid to rest next to Jim. There will not be any visitation held prior to the service.

One of Lorraine’s favorite comments was, “I have had a good life – enjoy every moment.”

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Lorraine’s honor can be sent to charities she sponsored including: Pancreatic Cancer Research at the Mayo Foundation, Doctors without Borders, or the Winona Humane Society.

Online condolences or memories may be left for Lorraine’s family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com.