Lorraine Margaret Buckmiller, age 100, passed away on Thursday, September 11, 2025 at Tieszen Memorial Home in Marion, SD. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 am Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at St. Michael Catholic Church (1600 S. Marion Rd., Sioux Falls, SD) with family present a half hour prior.

Lorraine was born on September 27, 1924 to Anthony J. and Edna (Malloy) Even on the family farm south of Humboldt, SD. She was later joined by her siblings, Neal, Delores, Loren, and Cyrene. Growing up in the area, Lorraine attended St. Ann's Catholic Grade School and graduated from Humboldt Public School and then from Presentation School of Nursing in 1946. She received training through the US Cadet Nursing Corp at McKennan Hospital where she later worked.

Lorraine met Rodney Buckmiller at Canistota's Sport Day Celebration. The couple were married on January 21, 1947. She then traded her nursing uniform for a farmwife apron with all the responsibilities and joy that title brings. The family farmed south of Monroe, SD before moving to their farm south of Vermillion Lake in Canistota, SD in 1957. They were members of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Wellington where Lorraine looked forward to the monthly Altar Society meetings. The couple enjoyed their neighborhood card club and dancing at the Arkota Ballroom and area wedding dances.

Lorraine loved this time of year, the end of summer. The butchering was done, the tomatoes canned, the eggs were plentiful and the kids, Mary, Allan, William, Lourene and Ryan, were back at school. Hearty meals were served to the men helping thrash oats, bale hay, and cut silage. Her aunt, Lucy Malloy, was a joy to work with, making pies and the best beef gravy, while Lorraine was known for her jellies and homemade bread.

In 1988, Lorraine and Rodney retired and moved to Sioux Falls. After Rodney died, Lorraine moved to senior apartments near St. Michael Catholic Church, which was conveniently located so she could drive to Hy-Vee, the beauty shop, and the dollar store. She loved walking to church for Mass, First Fridays, and volunteering.

Lorraine was a shy person, but to her surprise, she continued to make new friends in every chapter of her life. In 2017, she moved to Tieszen Memorial Assisted Living. There she enjoyed playing bingo and crafting, and she continued to sew projects with Mary. Once again Lorraine made new friends and renewed friendships from the past.

The margins of the pages and pages of Lorraine's prayer book were filled of the names of people that she prayed for daily. One of her many prayers was to know that all her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren were healthy and happy. Lorraine's rosary was always in her hand as she used it often perhaps sometimes asking Jesus to give her courage for another day. This summer, if she lost her rosary, the staff at Tieszen Memorial would look until they found it as they knew the importance of it to her. (It was usually hiding in her recliner or in laundry.) Lorraine was looking forward to her 101th Birthday Party, saying " I better rest up."

Grateful to have shared Lorraine's life are her children, Allan (Barb) Buckmiller of Canistota, SD, William (Melva) Buckmiller of Mitchell, SD, Lourene (Terry) Moore of Marion, SD, and Ryan (Debbie) Buckmiller of Hartford, SD; her 9 grandchildren; her 22 great-grandchildren; her sister-in-law, Agnes Even; and her cousins, nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Rodney Buckmiller (2003); her daughter, Mary Buckmiller (2023) and her son-in-law, Fred Schmer (2013); her parents, Anthony and Edna Even; her siblings, Neal Even, Delores (Charles) Kerkhove, Loren Even, and Cyrene McKinney; and her in-laws, William and Rose (Dahmen) Buckmiller, Roxanna and Lester Reecy, Gladys Buckmiller, and Arlyn and Harold Erickson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Joseph Wellington Church Cemetery (45454 261st St., Humboldt, SD) for current projects.