Memorial

Lorraine Evelyn Spitzack Flynn was the fourth and last child born to Arthur and Emma (Schwhichtenberg) Spitzack on January 6, 1922, in Morristown, MN.  She attended high school in Owatonna, MN following her family’s move there and went on to attend college at Winona State Teachers College in Winona, MN, where she met her husband of 73 years, Joe Flynn.  

The couple were married July 18, 1942, in Seattle, WA where Joe was working for the Navy during World War II.  After the war, they settled in Lanesboro, MN where the first three of their six children were born.  After brief moves to Rochester, Pine Island and Preston, MN, the family moved to Cedar Rapids, IA in 1955 and Joe co-founded Suburban Lumber Co. in 1958. 

Lorraine and Joe made many wonderful friends who enriched their lives both in Iowa and Minnesota and during their winters in Florida.  Lorraine enjoyed playing cards and golf with family and friends, taking grandkids to Chapmans and other fun places, baking cookies for all and sitting on the porch at the Cottage House watching her entire extended family enjoy the annual Lanesboro summer weekend.  But her favorite activity was serving delicious food and drinks to everyone who entered her home.  The value she placed on family, friends and faith continue to inspire her family.

Preceding her in death are her husband, her parents, and her siblings, Glenice Coderre and Mel and Les Spitzack.  Her sister-in-law, Mary Spitzack, survives her as well as all of her children and their spouses and all of her 15 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren.  Her children and spouses are:  Rick and Donna, Diane and Dave, Mike and Mary, Bob and Cathy, Denny and Diane and KC and Kathy.  The extended family includes Rick and Donna’s children and grandchildren: Jennifer and Stephen Schultz (Marika, Aiden, Ronan, Kale), Ali and Jim McGrew (Michael and Maleah), Micki and Clint Price (Brant and Tre); Mike and Mary’s family: Mackenzie and Ryan Barton (Remy, Raleigh, Bellamy), Meghann and Chris Harrington (Mack and Graeme), and Morgan Flynn; Bob and Cathy’s family: Stacy and Mike Anderson (Lauren, Jenna, Tyler), Heather and Steve Jonson (Ava, Jake, Emma), Cory and Amy Flynn (Kayla and Alex), and Angie Flynn; Denny and Diane’s children: Colby and Gabby; KC and Kathy’s children: Kelly, Conley and Kevin.

A visitation will be held at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home on Friday, 5-7 p.m, ending with a brief prayer service. Mass of Christian Burial: St. Matthew Catholic Church on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.; Interment at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. 

In Lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorials to St. Matthew Catholic Church, 2310 1st Avenue NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402. They also wish to thank Lorraine’s caregivers at Cottage Grove Place for their many kindnesses and excellent care.