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Lorraine (Hatling) Martin, age 92, of New Richmond, WI, and formerly of Fridley, MN. 1981 Worthy Matron of Minnehaha Chapter OES #37. She is survived by grandchildren, Jeff (Kim) Martin, Bonnie (Scott) Johnston, Kelly Martin; great-grandchildren, Casey and Cole Johnston, Alexa and Nathan Martin; brother, Russ (Alice) Hatling; sister-in-law, Marge (Hal) Olson; brother-in-law, Hank (“Chuckie”) Martin; many nieces and nephews. Lorriane was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Martin; son, Michael Martin; daughter, Cindy Jonak; siblings, Melvin, Lloyd, Ralph Hatling, Virginia Paulaha. A memorial service was held Saturday, October 27, 2012 at 1:00 pm at The Deerfield Chapel in New Richmond. Visitation was also Saturday from 12:00-1:00 pm. Private interment will be at a later date. Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services Beebe Chapel of New Richmond.
Family Reflection given at Lorraine’s Memorial Service by:
Jeff Martin.
Lorraine Genevieve-Hatling-Forberg-Martin was born 2/25/1920 in Starbuck MN to Norman and Borghild Hatling. She was the 5th of 6 children, including Ralph, Virginia, Russell, Lloyd & Melvin. Their grandparents on Borghild’s side, the Pedersons, Anton & Caroline came to the US from Solor, Norway, in 1869. Their Grandfather on Normans side, Peter Hatling, also came to the USA from Norway, while their Grandmother, Beline Wollan, was born in Iowa, her parents coming form Norway in the mid 1800’s. Lorraine’s family made their way to Minneapolis where she graduated from Roosevelt High School. In June of 1941 she married Robert Forberg, witnessed by Marge & Ralph Hatling ,…………and Marge is with us today. July 4, 1942 their son Michael , father of Bonnie, Kelly and me, was born. On December 7,1945, Robert was flying home after being discharged from WWII when he was killed in a plane crash with 6 other servicemen, as they arrived in Hawaii. Legend has it that the plane was suspect when it left for Hawaii, but the men were anxious to return to the USA and took the flight anyway. Additionally, as the story goes, Roberts sister, Newine, was notified of her husband, Barry Siewerts release from miliary service the same day as she was notified of her brother Roberts passing. Sometime later, Lorraine ran an ad to sell some of Roberts clothes. Who would come calling but a wonderful man named Robert Martin. Eventually Robert asked Lorraine and her son Michael if he could take them to an ice show, which apparently started a courtship period. It’s interesting to note some of the correspondences at this time. Letters were written in Jan of 1948 between Lorraine & Robert Forbergs sisters, in which Lorraine apparently expressed her concerns regarding the Forberg family’s feelings about her possibly marrying again to this new Robert in her life. If you have a chance, there is a scrap book in the room that has two very touching letters from two of the Forberg sisters, and their “blessings”, so to speak, of Lorraine remarrying. How times have changed! Then, in April 1950, Robert & Lorraine where married. In 1954, Robert Martin officially adopted Lorraine’s son, Michael. The Martin family moved to Fridley, MN and on Dec 8, 1956, their daughter, Cindy was born. Their son Michael married Donna in 1960 and in the next five years their three grandchildren Bonnie, Kelly and I were born. Lorraine worked many years at Sears in the men’s department selling suits while Bob was a mail carrier in Fridley where they lived for over forty years. My sisters and I have found memories of those times. These were the “Wonder Years”. It was always special to us to go to the shopping mall and find Grandma working at the Sears store. We also remember, when spending time at their Fridley home, Grandpa would come home at lunch from his walking mail route. We remember how Lorraine would be very attentive to this process, making sure Bob’s lunch was prepared with love and care, timed perfectly for his arrival, then have us grandchildren, with the aide of Cindy, settled in quietly so Grandpa could get his 10 minute, egg timer,nap in. How times have changed! The Fridley home, on Starlight Bld, was where Lorraine & Bob hosted the extended family every Christmas Eve and when they would share their famous homemade lefse, along with my favorite, Lorraine’s au gratin potatoes. There are also fond memories as many of the people here today looked forward to and participated in this annual tradition. Whether it was playing bumper pool in the basement, Melvin Hatlings ruby red shoes & holiday bow tie, Lloyd Hatlings passing out of the silver dollars to the children, there are many recollections of this happy time. How times have changed! Bob & Lorraine became very active in Eastern Star and in 1981 they were Worthy Matron and Worthy Patron of The Minnehaha Chapter #37 where they made many life long friends. Eventually Bob & Lorraine sold their house in Fridley and bought a townhouse in Coon Rapids where they lived until Bob passed away. Cindy passed way shortly after and Michael had left us in 1996. In March of 2011 Lorraine moved to New Richmond and spent the last year and half living here at Deerfield where she prided herself in going to exercise class several times a week and meeting new friends while continuing her support of her favorite baseball team the Minnesota Twins. So, today, we honor Lorraine’s life, as well as the family of Robert & Lorraine Martin. Now, after 18 years, they are all together again, Lorraine, Robert, Mike & Cindy. I can image Grandpa & Dad, returning from a day of hunting or fishing, playing a never ending game of chess in the front room. Lorraine and Cindy, working in the kitchen, preparing dinner, the aroma of fresh lefsa, au gratin potatoes, and a ham or turkey filling the home. Grandma having at least 3 pies to chose from for dessert, as Grandpa always liked a slice of each. Bonnie, Kelly and I, watching Walt Disney, our stomachs painfully full from another great meal at Grandma’s. How times have changed! We will join them all again, some day, for another Sunday afternoon……just not yet. At this time, I would also like to take a moment to thank my sisters, Bonnie and Kelly, for their love and support of Grandma, Grandpa and Cindy during the past years. While I was many miles away in Texas or Thief River Falls, raising a young family, and Mom in Phoenix, they were the ones in frequent times of need, who would come to the aide of Lorraine, Bob or Cindy. Without their children to fill this role, Bonnie and Kelly filled in beyond expectations, taking on enormous challenges over the last decade. And special thanks to Bonnie, who took extra care of Grandma in the last year during her final days.
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