Lorraine M. Korth

FOREST CITY - Lorraine M. Korth, age 88 of Forest City, died Saturday, October 5, 2013 at Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, October 13, 2013 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City with Pastor Rod Hopp officiating. Inurnment will be at Oakland Cemetery in Forest City.

There will be no visitation.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be designated to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Good Samaritan Society, or Hospice of North Iowa.

Lorraine Mae Korth was born August 6, 1925, to Herbert and Anna (Haase) Kling in Taylor, Wisconsin. The family later moved to Augusta, Wisconsin where Herbert worked as a blacksmith. Lorraine loved school from the beginning and graduated from Augusta High School at the age of 16. Had the times allowed, she wanted to become a teacher like her brothers Walt and Ken.

On July 1, 1944, Lorraine was married to Bud Tyler in Great Bend, Kansas. For many of that generation, WW II disrupted many plans and the young couple was no exception. Bud Tyler's B29 was shot down over Tokyo Bay, and he perished helping others on the crew. The young widow and her infant son, Tim, had to face a new future. On June 22, 1947, Lorraine and Bill Korth were married at Augusta, Wisconsin. Three more sons were born to this union, Mike, Chuck, and Ken. In 1965 the family moved to Forest City, Iowa to establish Bill's Red Owl, now known as Bill's Family Foods. Lorraine was an integral partner in this endeavor.

Lorraine was a student of the Bible, leading many Circle Bible study lessons for Martha Circle at Immanuel Lutheran Church, was a Sunday School teacher, Confirmation instructor, and instructor of pie squares 101. She had a special love for babies and dogs and spoke their language. Many a little one nodded off to sleep listening to her tune "Diddle-de-Deddle -de-Diddle -de-Dum". A nap was a victory for Grandma Lorraine! Halloween was a favorite holiday, and Lorraine was known in her neighborhood for her homemade popcorn balls.

Her circle of friends grew ever larger and no one sent out more birthday cards than Lorraine. Truly she loved people and they loved her. She had a servant heart and a heart for people everywhere she went. She traveled many places when Bill was at her side - Alaska, Hawaii, Europe, and Canada fishing trips. After the family New Year's celebration, winters were spent in the sunshine of Mesa, Arizona. Family trips to Laughlin were memorable for many.

"Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12 Lorraine's heart was wise, and kind, and brimming over with love for her family. The lessons of life were learned well. She will live on in the hearts of her family forever.

Lorraine is survived by her sons and their spouses: Tim Tyler (Cheryl) Spooner, Wisconsin, Mike Korth (Carolynn) Forest City, Chuck Korth (Ruth) Cottage Grove, Oregon, and Ken Korth (Cindy) Forest City. Ten grandchildren: Dan Tyler (Jan), Deb Lawrence (Dale), Kim Petersen (Mike), Susan Blaha (Dave), Aaron Korth (Shelby), Emmy Pierson (Sam), Leif Korth, Jonathan Korth (Rachel Schutz), Laura Aykroyd (Tim), and Amanda Korth. Sixteen great-grandchildren: Andrea Blaeser (Mathew), Angela LaPorte (Adam), Jessica Maki (Shaun), Kayla Smith, Jeffery Lawrence, Justin Lawrence, Jennifer Lawrence, Adler Petersen, Will Petersen, Max Petersen, Ben Blaha, Josh Blaha, Hannah Blaha, Addison Korth, Colton Pierson, and Evan Aykroyd. Also two great-great grandchildren: Colin LaPorte and Carter Tempel, and many nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Lorraine was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands, Bud Tyler (1945) and Bill Korth (1993); three brothers, Walt Kling (Charlotte), Hilbert Kling (Gladys), Ken Kling (Myrt); and two sisters, Elaine Carney (Bob), and Phyllis Newhouse (Bud). Blessed be the memory of Lorraine Kling Tyler Korth.