Lorraine E. McFarlane-Kassing

Lorraine Eunice McFarlane-Kassing (nee Robillard), Eau Claire, died peacefully at the age of 92 on Friday, April 17, 2015, at the American Heritage Center in Hammond, Wisconsin. Lorraine Eunice Robillard was born on September 17, 1922, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, to Godfrey and Hazel (Lund) Robillard. Lorraine attended St. Patrick's grade and high schools graduating in 1940. After high school, Lorraine attended the Eau Claire Vocational School and completed the secretarial studies program. During World War II, Lorraine enlisted in the Marine Corps and was stationed in California. Following her discharge from the Marine Corps, Lorraine returned to her secretarial work at U.S. Rubber Company. On December 31, 1948, Lorraine married Raymond Arthur McFarlane and resided in Eau Claire until a Korean War deployment for Ray stationed them in Missouri and Pennsylvania. Upon returning to Eau Claire, Ray and Lorraine raised their five children. Ray passed away in December 2001. Lorraine married Leland Kassing in January of 2003. For the next few years, Lorraine and Leland split their residency between Eau Claire and Florissant, Missouri, until Leland's passing in 2012. She enjoyed being a part of the Kassing family including Lee's children Mary Lee, Nancy, Greg, Jim and extended families. Lorraine was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Catholic Women's Club, Friends of Sacred Heart Hospital, VFW Ladies Auxiliary Post 305, American Legion Post 53, and Chippewa Valley Museum. She was an active supporter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. As a member of the greatest generation, Lorraine was a strong-willed woman with firmly held beliefs and a devout sense of faith. Family was very important to her and there was nothing she loved more than spending time at the cottage on Cornell Lake with her family. Lorraine loved to travel, garden, read, research genealogy, and listen to public radio. Lorraine knit hats for newborn babies born at Sacred Heart Hospital and was known to carry her knitting with her everywhere. Lorraine was the first volunteer knitter to deviate from the traditional pink and blue hats to Packer green and gold. Hundreds of babies left the hospital sporting her creations. Lorraine devoted a great deal of time in support of a variety of military organizations and veterans individually. Semper Fi, Marine! Lorraine is survived by three sons, two daughters, 10 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Her children include Larry (Jeanne) McFarlane of Las Vegas, Nevada, Gail (Gene Peterson) McFarlane of Los Alamos, New Mexico, Fay (Dennis) Hubbard of Chippewa Falls, Paul McFarlane of Eau Claire, and Mark (Sue) McFarlane of Eau Claire. Grandchildren include Mary (Greg Turk) McFarlane of Atlanta, Georgia, Larisa Keeler Gillis of Los Alamos, New Mexico, Travis Hubbard of Cross Plains, Wisconsin, Mathew Hubbard of Eau Claire, Anna (Chad) Lovaas of Chippewa Falls, Crissy (Morgan) Hanson of Chippewa Falls, Amy McFarlane of Oak Park, Illinois, Joe (Alena) McFarlane of New York, New York, Jim McFarlane of Eau Claire, and Bill McFarlane of Stamford, Connecticut. Great grandchildren include Cassie and Nicky Turk, Secilli and Alan Keeler, Aubrey and Delaney Lovaas, and Dean, Quinn and Calvin Hanson. Lorraine was preceded in death by her first husband Raymond; her second husband, Leland; parents; brother, Romaine; grandson, Stephen McFarlane as well as her great-grandson, Samuel Lovaas. The family would like to extend their appreciation for the caring and kindness of the staff of the American Heritage Care Center and the St. Croix Hospice team during her last months of life. Funeral Services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, August 3, 2015, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 1712 Highland Ave., Eau Claire. Visitation will be one hour before the service and burial will be at St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery in Eau Claire. Memorials can be directed to the Regis Catholic Schools Foundation or Wisconsin Public Radio.

Service Information

Cemetery

St. Patrick's Cemetery
2000 Omaha Street
Eau Claire WI 54701

Visitation

Monday, August 3 2015
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
1712 Highland Ave.
Eau Claire WI 54701

Mass of Christian Burial

Monday, August 3 2015
10:30 AM

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
1712 Highland Ave.
Eau Claire WI 54701