Lorraine Noles

Lorraine Genevieve Noles, of Fergus Falls, died Thursday, June 13, 2013, at Pioneer Care Center in Fergus Falls, MN.

She was born July 22, 1918, in Binford, North Dakota, the daughter of Herman and Lena Osen. Lorraine graduated high school in Devils Lake, ND and went on to attend Concordia College and Dakota Business College in Fargo, ND. Following graduation from the Business College, Lorraine was employed with CH Carpenter Lumber Co. in Valley City, ND. After the U.S. entered World War II, Lorraine became a Civil Servant taking on a bookkeeper position at the Adjutant General's Office in Washington DC.

Lorraine married Joe W. Noles on May 26, 1944, at Augustana Lutheran Church in Washington DC. They moved to San Diego, CA to await Joe's deployment to the Pacific from Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base. Following her husband’s discharge, they lived in Wahpeton, ND, before moving to Valley City where they raised four children. The couple were owners and operators of J & L Super Valu until their retirement in1988. They began enjoying the winter months together at their Mesa, AZ home. Lorraine and Joe moved to Fargo, ND, in 1995, where they were active members of Hope Lutheran Church. Following Joe's death, Lorraine felt it an honor to continue serving with those she called her "Hope Family" until she relocated to Fergus Falls, MN.

Together with her husband, Lorraine enjoyed time at the lake, golfing, traveling, and fellowship with friends. Her true passions in life were faith and family. Music played an important part in Lorraine’s life as she played piano and sang in church choirs throughout her life. She once sang for First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt during afternoon tea. Additionally, Lorraine directed the boys’ choir and was Sunday school music leader at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Valley City.

Following the death of her daughter Gay, Lorraine, Joe, and son-in-law, Wally, established the Gay E. Wallentine Memorial Scholarship Fund through the St. Alexius Hospital Foundation in Bismarck, ND. The fund continues to serve those seeking an education in Nursing. Lorraine was also an active supporter of numerous local and national charities primarily associated with heart disease and cancer research.

Preceding her in death were husband, Joe, daughter and son- in law, Gay and Roger “Wally” Wallentine, sisters, Vivian Hoghaug and Delores Laughlin, her parents and brother, Garfield.

Survivors include three children: son, Mark (Marcia) Noles of Little York IL, and son and daughter twins, Jan (Bev) Noles of Grand Rapids MN, and Lori (Jim) Sturgeon of Fergus Falls MN; ten grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren.
The family requests memorials be sent to The Gay E. Wallentine Memorial Scholarship Fund at The St. Alexius Foundation, P.O. Box 5510, Bismarck, N.D. 58506-5510.
Visitation: 3-5 p.m. Sunday with a 4:30 prayer service led by Chaplain Harry Olson, at the funeral home
Service: 10:30 a.m. Monday at Hope Lutheran Church, South Campus, 3636 25th St. S, Fargo, ND
Clergy: Rev. Kevan Smith
Burial: Woodbine Cemetery, Valley City, ND