Lorraine "Rainy" Schmidt

Lorraine Rainy was born on October 24, 1931 at Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the daughter of Carl and Evelyn (Claussen) Stroman. She grew up in Sioux Falls and graduated from Washington High School. After graduation, she moved to Seattle, Washington where she worked a dime store. She married Donald Minor in 1951. After a few years in California and having a son, Brian, they moved to an island in the Bahamas that Dons family owned. They lived there and helped with the construction of a few buildings on the property. There was no electricity or modern conveniences. When Rainy became pregnant with a daughter, she returned to the states so she had access to modern medical facilities. She returned to the Bahamas with her daughter, Darla. The family moved back to California where their second daughter, Vickie, was born. In the early 1960s they moved to Sioux Falls. Rainy worked at the Sunshine Bakery for many years. When the bakery closed, she was a production worker at J.W. Window Components for 19 years until retirement. She married Clark Schmidt in 1981. They moved to Los Lunas, New Mexico for a few years and then returned to the Sioux Falls area. Rainy was very creative and worked with stained glass and clay, made cards and crocheted, knitted and embroidered many items. She and Clark enjoyed camping at Yankton where Rainy loved being near the lake and watching the sailboats. Rainy would get up early so she could watch the sunrise from her apartment. She was known to be a very sweet hearted, caring and faithful person. Rainy loved her family and friends would often send encouraging scripture to them. She enjoyed working and volunteering at Wildflower Presbyterian Church and attending Bible study. She was adventurous and was always excited to learn something new. Rainy was 84 years old when she passed away on April 11, 2016 at the Dougherty Hospice House, Sioux Falls. Rainy will be deeply missed by her children, Brian Minor of Rapid City and Darla Vogt of Valley Springs; four grandchildren, Julie Vazquez, Sarah Minor, Amber Bearden and Eric Koens; six great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren; siblings, Ed Stroman and Diane (Dave) Bond; sister-in-law, Audrey Barrett; step-children, Doug, Russell, Jeff and their families; and many nieces and nephews.Rainy is preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Vickie; her husband, Clark; and two sisters, Tootie and Sissy.