Lorraine Ardell (Prahl) Westby was born April 8, 1936, to Otto and Tena Prahl, Brookings, SD. Lorraine lived on a farm north of Brookings with her parents all of her young life. She attended Brookings High School, graduating in 1954.
She worked at South Dakota State College (SDSC), now South Dakota State University, for several years. She attended a small country church, Argo Lutheran Church, where she was baptized and confirmed; taught Sunday School, played the Pipe Organ along with other members. Lorraine also enjoyed playing the accordion.
Lorraine met her future husband, Darrell, while he was attending SDSC, whom she married on Aug. 2, 1959 in Argo Lutheran Church.
After her husband graduated from college and received a commission in the Air Force, they moved to Chandler, Arizona where he attended Air Force pilot training at Williams Air Force Base. The family lived in many states during their 21 years in the Air Force. His final assignment with the 193rd Special Operations Group (PA Air National Guard), Middletown, PA where he retired, and they remained in Pennsylvania.
Lorraine was a stay-at-home Mom with their three children. While living in PA, Lorraine worked at W&M Printing; then Country Meadows Assisted Living for 23.5 years. She and Darrell enjoyed traveling in their travel trailer with their children and grandchildren. Family was everything to Lorraine. She enjoyed attending and being involved with her grandchildren’s activities, but her greatest enjoyment was purely being surrounded by her family.
Darrell and Lorraine celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on Aug. 2, 2024. She leaves her husband Darrell of 65 years of marriage; sons Steven and Michael; daughter Lisa and husband John Talton; grandchildren Ryan Talton, Megan Talton, and Brian (Carolynn) Westby, and a great granddaughter Amelia all of Mechanicsburg.
In addition to her parents, Lorraine was preceded in death by her brother Raymond and her sister Ramona.
Funeral services will be 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept, 19, at Trindle Spring Lutheran Church, Mechanicsburg with visitation held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. A private burial will take place at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. To sign the online guest book, please visit www.MalpezziFuneralHome.com.
