Lorraine Woltman, age 85 of Alta, IA, passed away on Wednesday, May 13, 2020 at her home in Alta, IA.  Lorraine was born on December 10, 1934 to Ingval and Grace (Morris) Gunderson. She was baptized at the Bethany Lutheran Congregational Church in Jackson County, MN on February 3, 1935.  Lorraine was raised in Minnesota, where she held the town of Bergen close to her heart.  Many stories told of her time spent with her twin aunts, Petra and Clara, while living in Bergen with them.

   On April 30, 1955, Lorraine was united in marriage to Billy Lowell Woltman in Delano, MN. This union was blessed with seven children: Billie, Trudy, David, Carla, Betty, Dale and Dean. Lorraine worked many places as a nurse aid.  She worked in a hospital in Bowman, ND, Gregg’s Nursing Home in Cherokee, IA, and Spectra Health and Methodist Manor in Storm Lake, IA. However, her favorite job of all was being a mother and grandmother.  Lorraine loved to sew clothes for her children and Barbie clothes for her grandchildren.  Grandma Woltman loved caring for her grandchildren as often as she could.  She was known for hosting New Year’s Eve parties complete with hats and noisemakers.  She also enjoyed fishing with her kids and grandkids, always being sure to use her beloved cane pole.

    In her later years, Lorraine would spend many days woodworking, making crafts and planting flowers in an array of interesting items.  She loved to fill her yard with Christmas decorations galore.  When she lived in Laurens, IA, she was recognized in a competition for her awesome decorations.  

   Anyone who has met the tiny Norwegian, quickly knew her love for telling stories, and her ability to speak her mind.  Often known as feisty, shorty, and ma, her favorite name was what her children called her, Mom. 

   Those left to cherish her memory include her children: Billie (Gailyn) Nehring of Storm Lake, IA, Trudy (Craig) Schroeder of Alta, IA, David (Denise) Woltman of Lake View, IA, Carla (Kerry) Schubert of Holstein, IA, Dale Woltman of Alta, IA and Dean Woltman of Manson, IA  her beloved grand-dog Petra; 29 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; brothers: Cecil Gunderson of Bowman, ND, Larry (Cathy) Gunderson, of Bella Vista, AR and Norman Gunderson of Delano, MN; many nieces, nephews, extended family members, friends.

   Lorraine was preceded in death by her husband Billy Woltman; daughter Betty Jo Woltman; grandson Cody Schubert; parents Ingval and Grace Gunderson; Parents- in-law Herman and Dolly Woltman; brothers: Perry, Ivan, Russell and Dale Gunderson.