Lorraine Hale

Lorraine Hale was a very gracious woman cut of the warmest, kindest cloth, who always volunteered her time, her effort and her love. Always caring and thoughtful, she found great happiness in the simple pleasures of life. Although Lorraine was quiet in nature, she enjoyed social gatherings and was always very easy to be around. Her happiest moments, however, always involved the time she spent with her beloved family.

The 1920s were a decade in which times were drastically changing within America. Women had gained the right to vote, and buying on credit was quickly becoming the nation’s favorite new discovery. It was in the year of 1922 that Ralph and Nellie (Minegar) Bodine of Otsego, Michigan were pleased to announce the birth of their beautiful daughter, Lorraine Beatrice, on July 8th. Lorraine was the youngest of three children, and enjoyed a typical childhood growing up in Otsego chasing after her two older siblings, Geraldine and Clare. She received her education in the Otsego Public Schools, and spent much of her leisure time on roller skates. In fact, Lorraine became a “Champion” roller skater in her teen years.

A wonderful thing happened to Lorraine in the summer of 1936 – she was introduced to the love of her life, James “Don” Hale, through his best friend and her cousin. The two were set up on a blind date and had a wonderful evening going to the Sun Theatre in Plainwell and then for some ice cream at DeHaven’s Ice Cream shop. As their relationship blossomed, Lorraine went on to graduate from Otsego High School in 1940, and went to work at the Shakespeare Company, renting an apartment with a girlfriend. The girlfriend was moving out and that left Lorraine unable to manage the rent by herself. Lorraine told Jim that she would have to move back home to Otsego, and would have to quit her job, as she did not have transportation, or they could get married and he could move in with her. (Jim said in later years it would probably have been cheaper for him to have bought her a car.)

Like most young couples, the first few years of marriage were tough and money was pretty tight. Lorraine often told the story of how they didn’t have a heating stone big enough to heat the house throughout the night, so they brought their alarm clock into bed with them so it wouldn’t freeze and they wouldn’t be late for work. After much scrimping and saving, the couple eventually bought a 135-acre farm for $4,500 (which translated into $45 down and $45 a month mortgage), and put a lot of “elbow grease” into fixing up the farmhouse and barn. It didn’t take long before Lorraine was out milking cows and doing chores around the farm – like she was born a farm girl! Later in life, after having children and perhaps not being as active, Lorraine used to joke that she had a 19” waist when she was married. Her daughter said if she got a $1 every time her mother said this, she would be a rich woman.

Over time, Lorraine and Don became the proud parents of three wonderful children: Dolores, William “Bill”, and Shellane “Shelly.” Family always came first in Lorraine’s heart, and she did whatever she could to give them a good life. This meant that she often had to leave her kids with their grandparents so that she could work to help make ends meet. Lorraine worked for 17 years as an assembler at Parker-Hannifin in their Pneumatics Division before retiring.

Besides being a devoted wife, mother and employee, Lorraine was also an active member of the Otsego United Methodist Church, where she was a crafter at the church bazaars and helped with suppers. When her kids were growing up, Lorraine enjoyed getting together with the “15 Friends Club,” a social club she founded with other mothers in the neighborhood. While they socialized and shared experiences, their children played together, and many lifelong friendships were formed. To this day, Lorraine and the ladies still enjoyed getting together.

Although Lorraine’s life was happy, it was also marked by great sorrow. In 1992, Lorraine lost her beloved husband Don, after 52 years of marriage. She found great comfort in spending time with her family, but she also got out to be with friends at a weekly card group and traveled with senior groups. Lorraine was a member of the Gun River Conservation Club too, which she loved. As Lorraine got older, she began suffering with arthritis and as her health began to decline and slow her down, she went to live in Stanford Lodge, an assisted living community in Plainwell. Then, just 3 weeks ago, Lorraine moved to the Life Care Center of Plainwell, where she passed away on Wednesday, February 24, 2010, at the age of 87.

A beautiful woman, inside and out, Lorraine Hale will be greatly missed and remembered always.

Visit with her family and friends, view her life story film and share light refreshments on Friday, February 26, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Life Story Funeral Home, 120 S. Woodhams, Plainwell, MI (685-5881). A funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 27, at 11:00 a.m. at the same location.

Lorraine was preceded in death by her husband, James “Don” Hale, in 1992, her sister, Geraldine Nyberg, and her brother, Clare Bodine. Members of Lorraine’s family include her children: Dolores (Richard) Bingham, William (Sara) Hale, Shellane (Ken) Chandler; 9 grandchildren, and 22 great-grandchildren. Please visit Lorraine’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory or photo with her family or sign her online guest book before coming to the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Otsego United Methodist Church or Heartland Hospice.