Loraine C. Rehder

A Memorial Service to celebrate the life of Loraine (Closner) Rehder will be held at United Lutheran Church in Red Wing on Saturday, July 10th at 11:00 a.m. with Visitation one hour prior to the Service with Pastor Randall Johnson and Jonathan Larson officiating. Loraine was born in Pine Island Minnesota on December 4th, 1916 to Jacob B. Closner and Anna (Crandall) Closner. She passed away at her home of 65 years on June 16, 2010.

Loraine grew up in Pine Island where she began working in her father's bakery at the age of 8 and then his grocery store at age 12. While in high school she was a member of the girls' basketball team, girls' chorus and an outstanding student. Following high school she attended Macalester College where she met her future husband Bob at a freshman mixer. She majored in sociology and minored in creative writing until it became necessary to return to Pine Island to care for her ill mother. She remained in Pine Island until she married Bob Rehder on September 18, 1940, the 25th Anniversary of his parents and they made their home in Red Wing.

Along with her husband Bob she was a co-owner of 707 Cab and Bus Company and its successor automobile and boat dealerships. She served as a driver and dispatcher and always said "driving cab was the best training she had to be a probation officer."

Loraine was the first female probation officer in outstate Minnesota having been appointed by Judge Elmer Tomfohr after serving as a volunteer for a number of years at the Minnesota Correctional Facility. During her career she was appointed by Governor Wendell Anderson to the Governor's Crime Commission. After 20 years as a probation officer she retired and once again became a volunteer at the Correctional Facility where she received the Meredith Juers Volunteer of the Year Award. Following her retirement from Court Services, she went to work at Bobs' Business, a bowling distributorship founded by her husband and son. Although retiring at the age of 89, she continued as a partner in the business with her son Bob, and daughter Cathie.

An active member of United Lutheran Church she sang in the Women's Choir, was the Sunday School Superintendent, taught Sunday school, and for many years was a member of the Altar Guild. She also gave of her time and talents to the United Way and numerous productions at the Sheldon Theater.

Loraine is survived by three children; Peggy Rehder, Bob Jr. (Diane) Rehder and Cathie (Kenn) Heilemann all of Red Wing, two grandchildren, Kim Trittin (Mike Egan) of Red Wing, Jason Rehder of St. Paul, three great grandchildren, five nieces and nephews, and a sister-in-law, Marianne (Rehder) Howe of Crosby Minnesota. She was preceded in death by her parents Jacob and Anna Closner, husband, Robert John Rehder and his parents, John and Anna (Nibbe) Rehder, brother-in-law Norman Howe, and sister-in-law Marjorie Rehder.

The family wishes to thank her wonderful home health care providers, Accra and Home Instead, Fairview Hospice and Dr. Thomas Meyer.

Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers to United Lutheran Church or Faith in Action or the Hospice organization of your choice.