Lorraine Marie Hertz

A small but mighty force

Lorraine Marie McNamara Hertz, 95, died peacefully on April 7, 2023, in Madison, WI, her birthplace and her home at All Saints for the past seven years. She was born to Leo Anthony and Marie (Greenheck) McNamara on May 25, 1927, the oldest of five. She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Leonard B. Hertz (d. 2011), sister Delores Frederick, and brother Hubert McNamara. She is survived by her children, Linda (Bill), Richard (Kathleen), Jeffrey (Connie) and Kenneth (Valerie); ten grandchildren; four great-grandchildren, sisters Suzanne Gmur (Roger), Kathleen Ptacek, and nieces and nephews.

For fifty years, Lorraine made her home in Roseville, MN with her husband and children. She was active in school and community groups, her church, and the University of Minnesota Women’s Club, serving as chair of the Scholarship committee and then as President. She loved bridge, golf (encouraging her grandchildren), searching for ancestors (especially Irish ones), and working the stock market in investment clubs. Her nephews called her the “energizer bunny.”

Lorraine graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, in 1949 with a B.S. in chemistry, and worked as a Medical Technologist in multiple hospitals. She and Len met at the University and married on August 25, 1950. His agronomy research took them to Minnesota, Kansas, New York, back to Minnesota, and sabbaticals in Oxford and Warwick, England. There she mastered driving on the left side of the road! Wherever she went, Lorraine joined in the community and made friends. She traveled internationally with Len, her children, family, and friends. A trip to Ireland by the four McNamara sisters was a memorable experience. Australia, New Zealand, China, Europe, Israel, Mexico, France, Russia, Morocco-she was always up for an adventure, and she had the movies or photos to show it!

While her grandchildren were young, Lorraine made regular trips to help and enjoy them. Making Christmas cookies, fishing at the cabin on White Swan Lake, skiing in Colorado, and hiking in the woods were all favorite times with Grandma. Wherever she was needed, she was there! Her active Catholic faith supported her during the good and challenging times throughout her life. She was enthusiastic and independent, expressed her mind, and listened to new perspectives. She loved meeting and spending time with new people, family, and friends. She made birthday and holiday celebrations extra special, baking, sewing, decorating, and making merry. A niece says, “A spitfire.” She celebrated life to the fullest. We love and miss her and will cherish our memories forever.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST ODILIA CATHOLIC CHURCH, 3495 Victoria St. N., Shoreview, MN, at 11 AM on Monday, May 1, 2023. Interment will take place at Fort Snelling next to Leonard B. Hertz.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
 

Gunderson West
Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Ave.
(608) 831-6761