Lorraine Houser

Lorraine Jean Houser (Enzweiler), a longtime resident of Madison WI passed away on Sunday, July 17, 2022, at St Mary’s Hospital after multiple surgeries and additional health complications. She was 82 years old. There will be a visitation on Monday, August 8, 2022, at 10am, followed by funeral services at 11am, and a luncheon at noon. All held at Queen of Peace Catholic church, at 401 S Owen Drive, Madison WI 53711. The following day on Tuesday, August 9, 2022, at 1pm there will be a burial near her parents and grandparents at Calvary Catholic Cemetery at W 34th St, Steger, IL 60475.

Lorraine was born on December 1, 1939, to the late Robert and Ida Enzweiler, and was the oldest of four children who were all raised in Steger IL.  She attended St. Laborious Catholic School in Steger IL until 1953. Lorraine additionally was a junior leader with the clover 4-H club of Steger IL. She graduated from Bloom High School in 1957. She graduated next from Illinois State University in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science in Education. From 1961-1963 she worked as a Math & Science teacher of 7th & 8th grade at Central Junior High School in Steger IL. During that time, she also took classes at Bloom Community College in Chicago Heights IL. In 1963-1965 Lorraine attended the University of Iowa working on a graduate master’s program in Botany. She was a Graduate Teaching Assistant to Dr. Robin Louis Cuany in the Botany department and a tutor for fellow students.

It was as a tutor at University of Iowa that Lorraine met Allan Houser. They were married on August 22, 1964, at Lorraine’s family church, St Liborius in Steger IL. In 1965, Allan and Lorraine moved to Ames, Iowa for Allan to attend Iowa State and receive career training. It was here in Ames Iowa their first daughter was born and Lorraine’s teaching career ended. In 1967, Allan was hired by the State of Wisconsin Agriculture department and so the young family moved to Madison WI and built a life there raising their three daughters. A devout catholic, she and Allan enjoyed attending church on a weekly basis.

From 1980 – 1996 Lorraine, was the owner of a private family daycare, taking care of countless babies and children. A true professional mother and educator, Lorraine was loving and smart. In addition to her daycare, Lorraine taught CCD Catholic classes, assisted with leading Girl Scouts, and was a habitual reader who loved the local Library. Even in the hospital a week before her death, she was speed reading a book a day.

Lorraine loved to sew, knit, crochet, and dabbled with quilting too. Her specialty was making baby blankets, but she also liked the challenge of making clothes for herself and loved ones. She thoroughly enjoyed her sewing community and met many friends from the classes she routinely attended over 22 years in retirement. Lorraine also had a green thumb. She loved gardening growing both vegetables and cultivating flowers in their backyard. Additionally, she had several indoor house plants.

Lorraine was proceeded in death by her husband Allan Houser and both their parents, along with her brothers- in-law Quay Ryan and John Lively, sisters-in-law Lois Lively, Carol Long, and Josie Houser. She is survived by her three daughters and their spouses: Ann Le Roy (Shelley), Ruth Houser (Joe), & Janet Kindred (Steve); as well as her seven grandchildren: Sara Le Roy, Ryan Le Roy, Michelle Le Roy, Erin Kindred, Joseph Koolipurackal, Mathew Koolipurackal, & Luke Kindred. She is also survived by her sister and brothers: Agnes Ryan, Bob Enzweiler (Mary), Ronn Enzweiler (Mike Cullen); brothers in-law Don Houser and Charlie Long; along with many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Her neighbors, friends and family will miss her dearly.

A visitation for Lorraine will be held on Monday, August 8th at OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE CATHOLIC CHURCH, from 10-11 am.  Her funeral service will follow at 11 am.   In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association (FCSLA), or to the Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison WI.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service Speedway

608-238-3434