Beloved Mother, Nan, and Friend
“When thru the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze.
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee;
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee;
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!” (How Great Thou Art)
Embraced in the loving arms of her family, Lorraine joined the Lord on the morning of
August 26, 2023. She was blessed with 98 beautiful years of life.
Lorraine (Nan) Thomson was born September 29, 1924, in Woonsocket, Rhode Island to Earl and
Lucy (Masson) Carey. She was a graduate of Woonsocket High School, class of 1941.
Pursuing a passion for art, she went on to attend the Rhode Island School of Design
where she periodically modeled for The Providence Journal and frequently graced the
runway of department store fashion shows. During this time, she was also employed as a
secretary for the Woonsocket City Attorney.
In 1944, at a military social event in Woonsocket, Lorraine shared a dance (and a stick of
gum) with William (Bill) Thomson. During that first encounter, Bill told her she would
be his wife someday. Seven months later, on May 21, 1945, they were united in marriage
at the home of her parents. The couple returned to Bill’s hometown of Sheboygan where
they raised three children: Dianne, Scott, and Christine. In Sheboygan, Bill established
the family automobile dealership (Motorville, Inc.) and a powersports business
(Thomson Marine). On October 24, 2002, after 57 years of marriage, Bill preceded
Lorraine in death.
Never having idle hands, Lorraine maintained her love of art for more than 40 years by
knitting baby blankets, creating leather pillows, and handcrafting thousands of
collectible Christmas ornaments. These treasures were frequently given as gifts and sold
in local shops including stores on the East Coast.
Throughout her life, Lorraine was tirelessly devoted to loving, guiding, and supporting
her entire family. She had a special way of making everything OK with a simple touch of
her hand. She provided an endless supply of encouragement and hospitality to all who
knew her. In fact, there was always room for one more at her dinner table, and thanks to
her delicious potato salad and irresistible apple pie, these seats were coveted.
Lorraine possessed a quick-witted sense of humor that often took her family by surprise.
As such, she leaves behind countless laugh-out-loud memories. An avid reader and lover
of nature shows, she was also a walking encyclopedia that kept everyone entertained and
informed. As it is impossible to condense 98 years of wit and wisdom into a small
paragraph, it might best be stated that Lorraine had a gift for purposefully appreciating
the simple beauty in life—the delicate petal of a flower, the subtle color of a bird’s wing,
the delightful aroma of chocolate; Lorraine noticed the presence of God’s awesome
creation and freely pointed it out.
During the last 12 years, Lorraine loved spending time talking and laughing with her
dear friends at Landmark Square and the Sheboygan Senior Community. Her family
would like to acknowledge the extraordinary staff that made her final years comfortable
and happy.
Lorraine is survived by her children Scott (Audrey) Thomson and Christine (Paul)
Stenklyft; her granddaughter Amy (Randall) Piette; and her great-grandchildren
Alexander William and Lauren Lorraine Piette. Her extended family includes Angela
(Dane Voeltz) Stenklyft; Kimberly (Jeremy) Crowell and their children Jeremy and
Jayden; Pamela (Travis) Jung and their daughter Madison; Chad Nelson; Scott
(Elizabeth) Nelson and their children Gabe and Kai; Tori (Doug) Duehning and their
daughter Talia; and many special nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, Bill,
Lorraine was preceded in death by her daughter, Dianne; her son-in-law, Arthur Richard
Kraft; her sisters, Priscilla Sereby, Marilyn Boyle, and Linda Froment; her brothers,
Allen Carey and Richard Carey; her nieces, Donna Dunbar and Judy Anhalt; her nephew
Michael Boyle; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Degenhardt and Bernice Thomson; and her
brother-in-law, Robert Thomson.
A private family funeral service will be held at Greenlawn Memorial Park. A celebration
of her life will be held at a future date. Friends may make memorial contributions to the
Sheboygan Senior Community or any charity of their choice.
"Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out
the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great
power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing." (Isiah 40:26)
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