Loraine Honer

Loraine Margaret Vandenberghe was born on October 8, 1929 in Butler, Minnesota to the late Austin and Mary (Jacques) Vandenberghe. She grew up on the family farm near Bear Lake, rural Butler and later in Hillview, the oldest of eight children. After graduating from the 8th grade, she worked as a domestic helper and then at Banquet Bakery in Wadena. Loraine stayed with her cousins in Oregon for a summer where she worked for a cannery picking berries and green beans. In the mid 1950’s she moved to Virginia to support her sister-in-law while her brother was in the Navy. While there she was employed at a jewelry store, she later worked at the egg plant in Perham.

On June 30, 1959, Loraine was united in marriage to Raymond Con Honer at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Butler. Their marriage was blessed with 6 children. Together they resided in rural Dent, Minnesota before purchasing the family farm in 1965 from Ray’s parents, John and Julia Honer. Loraine and Ray were active members of Sacred Heart Catholic Church where Loraine served with the Christian Mothers. Ray passed away on July 10, 2002. Loraine remained on the farm until October of 2005. She then moved to Sunrise Apartments in Perham and joined St. Henry’s Catholic Church. Since 2016 Loraine made her home at Pine Harbor in Perham Living.

Loraine was a kind, generous and accepting person. She had a gentle but adventuresome spirit and believed there was always something new to learn. Her faith and church were important to her. She liked farm living and the simple things life offers. She enjoyed vegetable and flower gardening, listening to music, doing jigsaw puzzles, reading, and visiting her neighbors and relatives. She loved feeding the birds, spotting the first robin, collecting shells at the ocean, and looking for monarch butterflies and deer. Loraine also loved a good cup of coffee and a cookie. Spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren was one of her greatest joys. According to her, they were all her favorites.

On February 20, 2021 Loraine passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving daughters at Pine Harbor at 91 years of age. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends. Loraine is preceded in death by her parents: Austin and Mary Vandenberghe; her husband: Ray Honer; brother: Lawrence Vandenberghe; sister: Dorothy Teig; brothers in-law: Ambrose Doll; and Frank Lorentz; and sister in-law: Jeanette Vandenberghe.

Loraine is survived by her daughters: Connie (Andy) Honer Ehlert of Portland, Oregon; Coleen (Jim) Friedsam of Perham; Jennifer (Dan) Peterson of Detroit Lakes; Tammy (Rich) Richter of Perham; and Mary (Tim) Monson of Perham; son: Don (Sandy) Honer of Dent; grandchildren: Jacob Ehlert; Luke Ehlert; Keith (Erin) Friedsam; Melissa (Jon )Hoffman; Matthew (Jeanna) Honer; Michelle (Jared) Bachelder; Joe (Lindsey) Peterson; Dani (Alex) Adams; Austin (Kayley) Peterson; Leah (Anthony) Lindseth; Lexi Richter; Logan Richter; Lacy Richter; Levi Richter; Alex Monson; and Noah Monson; great-grandchildren: Sawyer Adams; Eden Adams; Brayden Lindseth; Brexton Lindseth; Otto Peterson; Wylie Peterson; Everly Hoffman; Hadlee Hoffman; Amelia Honer; and Ray Honer; sisters: Leona Lorentz; Joyce Doll; and Donna (John) Kunza; brothers Bob Vandenberghe; and Alan (Sheryl) Vandenberghe; sisters-in-law: Louise Vandenberghe; and Bernadette Guck; brother-in-law: Jerry Teig; many special nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Loraine Honer, please visit our floral store.