Lorraine Ardyce Pahlke, 96, of Rapid City, SD, died Sunday, May 6, 2018 at Hospice of the Hills, Rapid City, SD.

Lorraine was born May 30, 1921 to Thomas and Emma Bayne in North Platte, Nebraska. Lorraine attended college in Greeley, Colorado for one semester and later attended Kearney State College, Kearney, Nebraska, where she obtained a two year teachers certificate. She taught in several one-room schools in the Sutherland, Nebraska area living with area families during the school week. She was often the janitor and had to shovel coal for the school's heat.

Lorraine and many of her friends volunteered at the North Platte, Nebraska canteen lunch counter at the Union Pacific Railroad station during the war years. Lorraine also worked one summer at the Grand Island, Nebraska Army Ammunition Plant in the bomb production facility packing bombs.

Lorraine and her husband, Erney, met when Erney was home on leave. They married after the war on June 16, 1946 in Sutherland, Nebraska. The couple honeymooned together in the Black Hills where they encountered snow even though the temperature on their wedding day was nearly 100 degrees. They were together until Erney's death on October 19, 2004.  T hey initially farmed outside of Sarben, Nebraska until they found a farm/ranch to purchase in Todd County, South Dakota in late 1948. They moved to the farm/ranch in December 1948 with their infant son Dale. The move was just prior to the Blizzard of '49 which snowed from January 2-5, 1949 in the northern plains.

Erney and Lorraine were members of the Lakeview Christian Reformed Church in Lakeview, SD. They were active in the community and proponents of 4-H in which all of their children would become involved. Lorraine and Erney had 5 more children, Robert, Alvin, Carol, Mary and Daniel. Lorraine was a huge supporter of their children pursuing their dreams and worked hard to make sure they had the opportunity to have a college education.

Lorraine loved teaching and became a teacher's aide at Lakeview Elementary School. She worked at the school, drove the school bus and raised her children while pursuing her dream of obtaining her 4-year teaching degree. She later became an aide at Rosebud Elementary School. She attended college part time for several years and graduated with her elementary education degree in 1981. Upon graduation, Lorraine started teaching at the St. Francis Indian School where she taught until her retirement. Teaching was a pleasure and she received great joy from the accomplishments and successes of her many students. Lorraine was known for making personalized books for her students and grandchildren to help them read.

Lorraine and Erney continued to operate the farm/ranch until Erney's health caused them to slow down. They moved to Rapid City, South Dakota in November, 2000. In Rapid City she joined Trinity Lutheran Church. After Lorraine quit driving she contacted the church to see if there were people she could pray for at home. This was the impetus for the Trinity Prayer Warriors who would receive a church mailer so they could pray for those requesting prayer. The number of Prayer Warriors has grown significantly and continues its mission of praying for those requesting it for themselves or others.

Lorraine loved her grandchildren dearly. She always wanted to know what they were doing and would talk to them about their life and activities. She loved to learn throughout her life. Lorraine had a passion for gardening with a big garden by the house and was known for her sweet corn. She loved to cook for family and try new recipes.

Lorraine leaves behind her six children, Dale Pahlke (Cindy Schaaf), Bismarck, ND, Robert and Marilyn Pahlke, Scottsbluff, NE, Alvin and Susan Pahlke, Winner, SD, Carol Pahlke, Rapid City, SD, Mary and Mark Robinson, Muscatine, IA, and Daniel and Shawn Pahlke, Rapid City, SD. She is also survived by 17 grandchildren; Shelley (Pahlke) Martin, James Pahlke, Courtney Pahlke, Jay Pahlke, Spencer Pahlke, Paige Pahlke, Jackson Pahlke, Jennifer Pahlke, Zachary Pahlke, Rachel Pahlke, Gabriel Robinson, Gideon Robinson, Gailann Robinson, Genevieve Robinson, Grant Robinson, Benjamin Pahlke and Samuel Pahlke and 1 great grand-daughter, Wyatt Pahlke. She is pre-deceased by her husband, Erney, her parents Thomas and Emma Bayne, brothers Melvin Bayne, Lavern Bayne and Donald Bayne and sister Evelyn Bayne.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 pm., on Sunday, May 13, 2018, at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home in Rapid City.

Services will be at 10:00 a.m., on Monday, May 14, 2018, at Trinity Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Wilbur Holz and Rev. LeRoy Flagstad officiating. Interment will be at Black Hills National Cemetery.

The family suggests memorials to Trinity Lutheran Church or Lakeview Christian Reformed Church.