Lorrain Stemler Obituary (2015

.Lorraine Jean (Vanderwerf) Stemler was born April 9, 1936 in the town of Ackley, Iowa. Her twin brother, Lawrence was also born on that day. They were two of six children born to Peter and Loretta (Stockton) Vanderwerf. Lorraine graduated from Geneva High School and moved to Des Moines. She married Lawrence Hitchcock and together they raised five children. Lorraine was employed as a housekeeper and assembly line worker. She worked hard to help support her family. When she wasn't working Lorraine enjoyed embroidery, crossword puzzles and playing cards. When she first got married, she couldn't cook; but her husband taught her how. Soon she was making the best spaghetti and chili in town. The thing Lorraine enjoyed most was spending time with her grandchildren. She was their biggest cheerleader for any sporting event. She would show up for all the games in any kind of weather. She was the neighborhood mom and all the kids loved her. Lorraine passed from time into eternity on July 23, 2015, at the age of 79. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence and parents, Peter and Loretta Vanderwerf; her sons, Lawrence Daniel and Lennie Hitchcock, granddaughter Lori SueAnn Starnes; brother, Floyd Vanderwerf and son in law, Thomas Starnes. Lorraine is survived by her children, Linda Starnes, Leland "Joe" Hitchcock and Laurie Charay; her daughter in law, JoAnn Hitchcock; brothers, Lawrence, Gerald and LeVerne Vanderwerf; sister, Beverly Oelmann, 11 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren; her companion, Bob and a host of extended family and friends. Visitation JUL 28. 11:00 AM Henderson's Highland Park Funeral Home 3500 Sixth Avenue Des Moines, IA, US, 50313 info@hendersonhighlandparkfuneralhome.com http://www.hendersonhighlandparkfuneralhome.com