Lorraine J. “Raynie” (Doxtator) Van Deraa, age 77, of Stockbridge, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 12, 2018 at Anna John Resident Centered Care Community in Oneida. “The place they look after them” surrounded by her extended family. She was born October 13, 1940 in Stockbridge in her parents’ home. She was the daughter of the late John and Frieda (Welch) Doxtator. Raynie married Jerome J. Van Deraa on June 24, 1959 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Stockbridge.
Raynie graduated from Stockbridge High School, class of 1958 and met the love of her life shortly thereafter. Jerome and Raynie had celebrated 58 years of marriage. During her life, Raynie worked at Zwickers Knitting Mill in Appleton, Tecumseh Products in New Holstein, and after 41 years she retired in December of 2000. She was a member of the The International Associate of Machinist and Aero Space Workers District No. 10.
Raynie was well known as “Ma” to many people. She was like a mama bear protecting all! As for Jerome, she called him, “the old Boy” and they could communicate without saying a word. Raynie had a little laugh and always had a kind word and smile for everyone she met and never expecting anything in return. Raynie could melt your heart with her kindness and sincerity.
She loved her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and extended family at Anna John Resident Centered Care Community. Raynie appreciated music, especially George Jones and Elvis. She loved nature, camping, fishing at mud creek with cane polls, sturgeon spearing, bird watching, “The Ledge” – Niagara Escarpment and the little artesian creek alongside the house.
Shortly after marriage, they bought the little White House next to her parents. A few years later they purchased a house in the Village of Stockbridge and lived there for many years. In 1983 Lorraine was looking for a retirement home while still keeping the old house that was pretty much paid for. They bought an A frame house out in the country. For unexpected reasons in 1989 they had to sell and move back to the old house, recouped a few years and with many discussions with her sisters, they bought the rest of her parents’ property, with the hard work and assistance from her husband, two sons, and many others. A new foundation was poured and her new personality designed Cape Cod retirement home was built in 1998. The property was in the family long before Wisconsin was a state.
Raynie lived life one day at a time. She was in Al-Anon, then AA going on 35 years in May. Raynie was quiet but could be fierce. She was a member of the Stockbridge Munsee Community Band of Mohican Indians, descendant of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, Brothertown Indian Nation, Delaware and a little Sweden Heritage. She was a member of HONOR, Inc, AIM American Indian Movement, and Protect the Sacred. Raynie spearheaded the movement to preserve and revisit an 1856 Treaty written by Abraham Lincoln trusting the Indian Cemetery to the care of the Town of Stockbridge, Wisconsin. The Township and the Stockbridge – Munsee negotiated a compromise and transferred the land back to the Stockbridge – Munsee Community Band of Mohican Indians in July of 1993. Raynie received a Pendleton Blanket in honor of her efforts at the cemetery in 1997 with a ceremony of rebirth and rededication.
Survivors include: her husband of 58 years: Jerome; her son: Jonathon M. (Shirley) Van Deraa; a daughter: Kathryn Van Deraa Kuhn; her daughter-in-law: Wanda Van Deraa; her grandchildren: Christie (Bill) Gast, Jesse (Amanda) Kuhn, Joseph (Christie) Kuhn, Amy Kuhn, Nicholas (Melissa) Kuhn, Noel Kuhn and his special friends, Kayla & Willow, and Jonathon J. Van Deraa; her great-grandchildren: Carter, Calvin, and Maverick Gast, Imagine & Arlo Kuhn, Charlie & Dawson Kuhn, Abigail Lorraine Kuhn; Her sisters: Elizabeth Groh, Lulu Bell Mattson; a brother-in-law: Gerald (Jean) Van Deraa; sisters-in-law: Barbara (Randy) Moehr, Judy (Marvin) Vande Voort, Theresa Van Deraa, Leona Van Deraa, Phyllis Van Deraa, Joyce Van Deraa; her Godchildren: Debbie Kusserow, Ron Van Deraa, Carol Wilinski, Debbie Franz & Steve Mueller; and her special friends: Steve Kitzinger & Dean Jones. She is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Raynie was preceded in death by her parents; her parents-in-law: Martin & Minnie (Sanderfoot) Van Deraa; her son: Darryl Van Deraa; her brother: Jerome Doxtator; her twin sister: Elaine Doxtator Raddatz; her brothers-in-law: Robert Groh, Wayne O. Mattson, Donald, Marvin, James & Martin Van Deraa; and her sisters-in-law: Rose Ann (Don) Huben, Elizabeth (John) Schmitz.
Funeral service will be at 11:00 am on Friday, April 20, 2018 at the Church of the Holy Apostles Episcopal Parish (2937 Freedom Road) in Oneida with Vicar Rodger L. Patience officiating. Burial will be taking place at the Stockbridge Indian Cemetery in Summer. Friends may call at the Wieting Family Funeral Home (411 W. Main St.) in Chilton from 3:30 pm until 7:30 pm on Thursday, April 19, 2018 and on Friday at the church from 9:00 am until 10:45 am. A prayer service will take place Thursday evening at the funeral home at the close of the visitation.
A special thank you to the Calumet County Home Health, Anna John Resident Centered Care Community for the passionate care beyond words can say. Ultimately Michael Flood, M.D. and Oneida Community Health Care , who was with mom the whole journey of COPD and more. Norma K. Turk M.D., M.S. from Appleton Medial Center. Thank you all! The family of Lorraine J. “Raynie” Doxtator Van Deraa. It took a team.
Online Condolences wietingfuneralhome.com
