“A mother’s love is like no other. It’s a bond that can’t be broken, a love that cannot be explained, a feeling that will last a lifetime”. “Her resilience is like a tree in a storm, bending but never breaking.”
Lorraine Marie was welcomed into the world by Marie (Zettler) and Edgar Hundt on August 31, 1932. Lorraine joined her sisters Dorothy and Bernice and her brother Jerry. The arrivals of Frank, Anne Marie, Don and Larry made the family complete. The Hundt family resided on the 14th Concession of Carrick Township just outside of Carlsruhe. Lorraine and her siblings were taught the value of hard work as they worked alongside their parents on the farm.
As a teenager, Lorraine and her sister Dorothy set off to Kitchener to work at Kaufman’s factory. Around that time, Lorraine met a young man named Rupert Durrer and soon a relationship blossomed and Lorraine and Rupert were married on March 31, 1951. Shortly after, they bought their one and only home together in Mildmay. They soon welcomed their first child Dan, followed by Cheryl, Debbie, Herb, Sandy, Joyce, Beverly and Michele. Their property in Mildmay spanned a couple of acres with numerous gardens and a barn where they raised, chicken, rabbits and pigs. They had a few cows for milk and churned some of that milk to make butter. Of course, no farm is complete without a donkey, a goat and a horse for the kids.
Lorraine was a terrific vegetable gardener and she would grow, harvest and preserve vegetables for the family. She had a beautiful pear tree that produced an abundance of pears that she preserved and used for baking. Any extras were sold to people in town. She was tireless when it came to making a house a home. Lorraine was an excellent baker. One of the family favourites was homemade sugar-coated donuts. Lorraine would spend an entire day making donuts which she stacked high on a couple plates and it took just minutes for her family to devour them all. But Lorraine loved to do things for her family and doing things for them was one way she showed her love.
Lorraine was also an avid seamstress making and sewing clothes for other people but her pride was sewing for her 8 children. The family proudly wore her creations which she often designed, cut and sewed without a pattern. She made numerous blankets, crocheted afghans and made the most beautiful quilts, all hand quilted and sometimes with the help of her girls.
Lorraine went to work driving school bus once most of her children were in school and continued for over 20 years. She was also a member of the Catholic Women’s League in Mildmay for many years, volunteering her time to help with meals, Church Bazaars and much more.
Lorraine had a big heart and a soft spot for young women and their newborn babies. She made and donated many, many baby quilts to a special cause to make sure the newborn babies had the warmth of a beautiful quilt when they were born.
Curling was a great pastime for Lorraine. She curled for many years with her friends and on occasion, played with some of her family. Aside from curling, Lorraine loved to play cards. She was a bit of a card shark and played right up to the last few months. When the family was younger, a typical Sunday involved numerous games of cards followed by a fantastic homemade dinner for her children, their spouses and her grandchildren.
The Durrer household was always brimming with family, fun and laughter but sadly, in 1998, Beverly passed away. Although Lorraine and Rupert were heartbroken, they persevered. Unfortunately, tragedy struck again and Rupert passed away in 2011, leaving Lorraine on her own.
Lorraine loved a drive in the country. She would hop in the car any time the family asked her and often her drive would lead to a nice restaurant for dinner.
Lorraine continued to live in the family home for many years until just a few months ago when her health began to fail. She fought valiantly with each hurdle, but the week before her passing she developed Pneumonia.
Lorraine Marie Durrer (Hundt) passed away peacefully at the Wingham and District Hospital with family by her side on Tuesday, November 19, 2024. She was 92.
Beloved mother of Dan (Catherine) of Oakville, Cheryl McCullough (Kent) of Wellesley, Debbie Tufford (Doug) of Brantford, Herb (Carolyn) of St. Agatha, Sandy Reuber (Clarke) of Mildmay, Joyce Zettler (Russell) of Carlsruhe, and Michele Smailes (Mark) of Chesley.
She will be missed by her Grandchildren, Carolyn Norbeck (Nick), Andrew Durrer, Chad McCullough (Gabriellla), Kara McCullough, Sherri Hobbin (Matt), Ben Durrer (Lindsay), Julia Durrer (Danny), Luke Durrer (Jackie), Ashley Reuber (Ryan), Curtis Reuber (Victoria), Joel Zettler (Alisha), Sarah Zettler (Ryan), Shawn Smailes (Amanda), Jamie Smailes (Jordan), and Mikayla Kennedy (Tyler).
Cherished Great Grandmother of Peter, William, Jordy, Nelson, Alex, Gimena, Nakita, Emily, Isaac, Breanna, Lydia, Leon, Lucy, Hazel, Ryleigh, Jace, Maverick and Lyla. Great Great Grandmother of Eliana.
She will be dearly missed by her sisters Dorothy Devlin, Anne Marie Doerr and brother Larry Hunt.
Lorraine was predeceased by her husband Rupert, daughter Beverly, grandson, John Tufford, sister Bernice and brothers, Jerry, Frank and Don and her infant brother Raymond.
As we mourn the loss of our Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother, we wish to honour her memory with a private service. This allows us to celebrate her life in a manner that reflects the love and connections we shared. We truly appreciate your understanding at this difficult time.
Memorial donations can be made to the Sacred Heart Church Mildmay Building Fund or the Saugeen Hospice.
