Lorraine Sprader Baumgardner

Lorraine Sprader Baumgardner

September 30,1928- February 3, 2026

Lorraine, age 97, passed away peacefully surrounded by many of her children and grandchildren. Proceeded in death by her parents, Alexander and Frances Sprader, and brother Leonard. She was born in Minneapolis and lived in Minnetonka, Minnesota for most of her adult life.

She took great pride in graduating from the University of Minnesota with a master's degree in public health nursing and starting her career as a public health nurse. Later, working as a nurse at Bemis Bag Co. she met her future husband, Dwight. Lorraine and Dwight had a true love story and were married for 61 years when Dwight died in 2016. They were best friends. She missed him terribly and was looking forward to joining him in heaven.

Lorraine found great meaning being a wife, mom, grandma, great grandma and friend. She treasured her family above all else. She was very proud of her four children, eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Dwight and Lorraine seldom missed a sporting event or other activities of their children or grandchildren. They were "super fans".

In 1956 they built their one and only home in Minnetonka where she lived until 2023 when she moved to Brookdale Senior Living in Eden Prairie. Her daughter, Ann, lived with Lorraine in her Minnetonka home for four years prior to the move to Brookdale and took remarkable care of her.

Lorraine lived a full life and was kind, caring and giving. She always enjoyed doing things for other people. She was very social and participated in many clubs such as the West Suburban Women's Club and the American Association of University Women.

She was a person of many interests and talents including being a talented seamstress, quilt maker and baker. She was famous for her variety of Christmas cookies served on Christmas Eve.

Lorraine loved nature and particularly skiing with her husband, children and grandchildren. Camping with the family was a favorite vacation. Dwight and Lorraine had a second home in Breckenridge, Colorado for many years and made countless memories skiing and hiking there.

She was an avid bird watcher and enjoyed feeding the birds at her Minnetonka home where she observed the birds from the "garden room", her favorite spot in the house.

Lorraine is survived by children; David (Rita), Ann (Jeff) Pederson, Paul and Brian; grandchildren Laura (Tim) Wike, John (Bailey), Kara (Jason) White, Rachel (Nikki), Camille, Nicholas, Andrew and Charlie.

Memorial contributions preferred to Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church.

A funeral mass will be held on Friday, May 22, 2026, at 11:00 am at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Minnetonka. Visitation will start one hour prior to the mass, and lunch will follow.