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Lorraine Alice Adams

ISHPEMING, MI – Lorraine Alice Adams, 84, of 124 North Camp Road, Ishpeming, passed away peacefully in her hometown late on Wednesday, December 27, 2017. She was, as always, surrounded by her family and their love.

Lorraine was born on October 5, 1933, in Ishpeming, the daughter of the late Werner and Elizabeth (Mayry) Wirtala, both of Ishpeming. She graduated in Science from Ishpeming High School in 1951, and from Augustana Hospital School of Nursing in Chicago in 1954 (the director of the school commended her for having the highest state board exam score in Illinois). During Lorraine’s varied career as a registered nurse she was known for being especially kind, caring, and competent.

For more than 62 years, Lorraine was the loving and beloved wife of John H. Adams, whom she met just before Christmas in 1951 on the C&NW 400 train running from Chicago to Ishpeming. The couple had four children, and lived in a variety of places around the country, including the Space Coast of Florida. She eventually returned to her Finnish roots in the Upper Peninsula where, along with her husband, Lorraine was an active member of the Bethel Lutheran Church in Ishpeming.

She was an insatiable reader, an expert crossword- puzzler, and also an artist, accomplished at both drawing and painting. Lorraine and John enjoyed many seasons camping together, including several winters in their motor home. She loved music, especially classical and opera. Her family and friends knew they could always rely on Lorraine’s patience, compassion, knowledge, insight, and humorous wit. She was deeply touched by the beauty in this world and easily moved by loving kindness.

Lorraine was preceded in death by her parents, a sister Betty Ann, and brothers William and John. She is survived by her husband John H. Adams; by her son John D. (Patty) Adams, of Alexandria, VA, her daughters, Betty (Jim Dalgleish) Adams, of Kalamazoo, Kristine (Raymond) Pogliano, of Kalamazoo, and Paula Adams; by her grandchildren, Nate (Jess) Jeffery, Neil Jeffery, Austin (Zoe) Jeffery, Gabriel Pogliano, Ethan Pogliano, and Leah Pogliano; by her sister Ruth Doney of Ishpeming, brother Peter (Sue) Wirtala of Green Bay, brother-in-law Paul Adams of Baraga; and by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The Adams family will welcome relatives and friends at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, January 3, 2018, at Bethel Lutheran Church, 333 E Ridge Street, Ishpeming. Pastor Lauri Maki will officiate at a memorial service at 11 a.m. with a luncheon to follow. Lorraine will be inurned at a later date at the Ishpeming Cemetery. Lorraine’s family would like to thank the staff at the Marquette County Medical Care Facility for their care and compassion during her weeks there. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Bethel Lutheran Church, or to the Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 Main Street, Ishpeming, MI 49849.

Lorraine’s obituary may be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com where relatives and friends may leave notes of remembrance.