Obit: Ives, Lorraine Ruth (1931 - 2020)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Ives, Engum, Drescher, Mashin, Mayenschein, Conner, Maug, Bourget, Hale, Card, Zank

----Source: Gesche Funeral Home & Cremation Service (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 3/24/2020

Ives, Lorraine Ruth (21 August 1931 – 22 March 2020)

Lorraine Ruth (Engum) Ives, 88, passed away peacefully at her home on March 22, 2020 with family at her side, a Golden heart stopped beating.

Lorraine was born on a small farm in Independence, on August 21,1931 during the depression years. She was the eldest of three siblings to Reynold and Louise Engum. Lorraine graduated from Independence High School in 1950 and went on to teaching school in Alma and graduated from there in 1952. She taught in the country schools in Galesville, 1st through 8th grade and Humbird, in 1955 to 1956. She took great pride in teaching the children she had and loved them dearly. She met Calvin Ives and they were married in Price, on June 18, 1955. Lorraine and Calvin began their family shortly thereafter and had four daughters, Debbie (Tom) Drescher, Neillsville, Linda (Marvin) Mashin, Neillsville, Bonnie (Jim) Mayenschein, Neillsville, and Chari (Mitch) Conner, Chili. Lorraine and Calvin Lived in Humbird and moved to Neillsville in 1963. Lorraine became a homemaker and helped Calvin with “Ives Auto Salvage” in the 70’s through 2005. In the 70’s she also worked several years at the Historic Clark County Jail as one of two cooks. Lorraine always saw good in everyone and never said a bad word about anybody. She said the inmates were decent to her and they loved her cooking. Lorraine and Calvin took several trips out west with their children and created many great family memories. Throughout the years Lorraine spent her past-time embroidering and she loved to go shopping to buy her embroidery squares, and thread…Each of the daughters received a quilt 20 embroidered squares to each quilt that was made by Lorraine’s niece Cindy Maug of Osseo. Lorraine was so happy to see her squares take shape into beautiful quilts. Lorraine treasured her dear friend of 50 years, Sue (Bill) Zank of Neillsville, who visited her weekly for years and years. Lorraine will be dearly missed and is considered by family and friends to have the best heart of anyone they've ever known heaven will gain an Angel indeed. Lorraine's grandchildren and great grandchildren were the sunshine in her day. She enjoyed spending time with all her family and friends for Holidays and special occasions.

Grandchildren: Liza (Jason) Bourget, (Neillsville), Nick and Christine Drescher (Neillsville), Greg (Tara Hale) Mashin (Neillsville), Ryan (Tiffany Doll) Mashin (La Crosse)

Great-Grandchildren: Hadley, Hayden and Harrison Bourget (Neillsville, Cody Drescher (Neillsville), Melodie & Monica Mashin (Neillsville) and Lydia Mashin (La Crosse).

Lorraine was preceded in death by her parents, Reynold and Louise Engum (Fairchild), her husband, Calvin Ives of 63 years, brother, Allen (Mary) Engum (Fairchild) and her sister, Elaine Card (Osseo).

A Graveside Ceremony, for Immediate family only, will be held on Friday, March 27, 2020 at the Neillsville City Cemetery.

Online Condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.  Gesche Funeral Home and Cremation Service is assisting Lorraine’s family.