Lorraine Hope Piirtola

She was raised by her mother, Jean Heckla Rose and Step-father. She grew up on the sandstone shores of Lake Superior, which she called God’s Country. She attended Dupont Elementary and Walker High School. She spent High school summers on Madeline Island working for the many vacationers from Duluth and Chicago. After High school, she moved to Chicago and worked for Avon as a sales rep., while attending Chicago Art Institute. She studied painting, water colors, and oils. Her love of painting remained with her throughout her life. While there, she met Arnold, and they were married March 3rd, 1951. They moved to Allegan in 1958 where they raised their family. Arnie worked for the FCC before retiring in 1986. After her children were in school, Lorraine worked as a teacher’s aide with developmentally disabled children for 6 years at the Hudson Corners School in Allegan. She then worked as a floral designer for 16 years. She loved reading, traveling, painting, and spending time with family and friends.

Lorraine is preceded in death by her husband, Arnie; brothers, Ray Heckla and Dale Rose. Surviving is her sister, Karen Gierzak of Wisc; sister-in-law, Ann Rose, David (Vickie) Piirtola; daughters, Leanne (David) Miller and Julie (Steve) Hiscock; grandson, Ian Piirtola; three nephews, Craig Gierzak, Chris Gierzak, and Dustin Rose; and three nieces, Dawn Bresette, Dina Arnott, and Susan Heckla. She also loved her dogs, Oliver, Sam, Casey, and Bodie, who all passed on before her.

There will be visitation/Lunch-in at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 631 Grand St, Allegan, MI 49010 on Friday, April 28th, 2023 from 1pm-3pm followed by the funeral service. Graveside service will follow for family only.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Wings of Hope Hospice/ Wings Home of Allegan.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.neptunesociety.com/location/grand-rapids-cremation for the Piirtola family.