Lorraine Ellen Straw, nee Meland, age 73 of Oregon, IL died Sat., Dec. 3, 2016 at Serenity Hospice, Oregon, IL following an 11 month battle with brain cancer. Lorraine was born Nov. 22, 1943 in Chicago IL, the daughter of Thomas & Annabelle, nee Adamson; beloved wife of fifty-one years to Perry Clark Straw Jr.; loving mother of Naomi (Peter) Dhuse and Perry Clark III (Pamela) Straw; dearest grandmother of Zachary, Zoe and Zayla Dhuse; dear sister of Carol Hoidahl. Lorraine enjoyed time with family, neighbors, pursuing art, serving others in the Norwegian Community, and saving the 1893 Viking Ship.

SCHOOLING: Thomas A. Edison School-1956, Taft Highschool-1962, Moody Bible Institute-1965, The Art Institute-1968, Kellogg School of Management-1987

SUPPORTER OF: The Moody Church, Moody Bible Institute, Minnekirken-Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church, Evangelical Free Church of Mt. Morris, Jesus Video/CRU, Family Life Ministries

SERVING/MEMBER: Vesterheim-Norwegian-American Museum, Sons of Norway/Skjold Lodge #100, MSI, CHM, Field Museum, Tall Ships/Chicago, FOVS, Lakeview High School Local School Counsel, Eagle's Nest Art Group-Oregon, IL

OFFICE HOLDER: Norwegian National League (nnleague. org), Illinois Norsk Rosemalers Association (rosemaling.org), Grieg Ladies Singing Society (griegladies.org), Founding President of Friends of the Viking Ship (vikingship.us)

Visitation, Thursday, from 2 to 9 p.m. Funeral Service, Friday, 11 a.m. at Nelson Funeral Home, 820 Talcott Road (at Cumberland Ave.,) Park Ridge, IL.  In lieu of flowers, memorials to Friends of the Viking Ship NFP , P.O. Box 3571, St. Charles, IL 60174 or Serenity Hospice , Oregon, IL would be appreciated. For information 847-823-5122 www.nelsonfunerals.com