GILMAN – Lorraine V. Schriefer, 97, of Gilman died at 5:41 p.m. Friday (June 22, 2012) at Prairieview Lutheran Home, Danforth.

Her funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, June 29, at Zion United Church of Christ, Gilman, with Rev. Daniel Gansch-Boythe and Rev. Robert Blumberg officiating. Burial will be in Wenger-Green Ridge Cemetery, Gilman.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 28, at the Redenius Funeral Home, Gilman. There will also be visitation one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.

Memorials may be made to the Zion United Church of Christ Memorial Fund or Prairieview Lutheran Home.

Lorraine was born Sept. 20, 1914, on a farm west of Gilman, the only child of William J. and Mary (Siegfried) Vieregge.

She graduated from Gilman High School in 1931 and from Illinois State University in Normal in 1933, taught school in Gilman, Onarga and several country schools for 20 years, and taught piano lessons for 31 years.

On June 24, 1936, she married Otto F. Schriefer at Zion Evangelical and Reformed Church in Gilman. He preceded her in death on Aug. 6, 1984.

They farmed in rural Onarga for 40 years and retired in Gilman in 1976.

Lorraine was very active in her community and church. She served as president, secretary and treasurer of Iroquois County Retired Teachers, president of the bicentennial 1976 celebration in Gilman, and published a book "Moments To Remember" filled with stories by many of Gilman's senior citizens whom she interviewed.

She was the first woman to serve as president of Iroquois County Old Courthouse Museum, founded and chaired the fundraiser "Harvest Daze" and was the managing editor of the 1985 "History of Iroquois County" book.

She was a member and held offices in the Gilman Rebekah Lodge and subsidiary lodge organizations, served as district and state musician, and chaired many fundraisers.

Lorraine wrote original poems and programs for anniversaries and celebrations, church groups, senior groups and civic organizations in the area.

She was a reading tutor in the Alive reading program, tutored young schoolchildren in reading, served as a member and held offices in Gilman Senior Citizens, Gilman Woman's Club, and Gilman Chamber of Commerce.

She organized and accompanied a senior kitchen band "The Kitchen Cut-Ups," which played for many events throughout the area, and wrote and directed a musical program, "A Year to Remember," which was presented five times through the years as a fundraiser for Gilman's bicentennial and Old Boys & Girls Reunions.

She also served on committees for many fund drives including the restoration of the bank clock, the Gilman war memorial, and Gilman's Parker One Room School House and was on Gilman's citizen's police committee.

She was an active member of Zion United Church of Christ in Gilman and the women's group, taught Sunday School for many years, served as president and board member of the UCC Prairie Mission Fellowship, and was the dean of Prairie Mission Council.

She was also the church organist/pianist for over 50 years, accompanied the choir, and played for many weddings, funerals and special events in the area.

Lorraine received many service awards and acknowledgments through the years for her deeds as a community servant, including Modern Woodsman Association, Iroquois County AARP, distinguished service award from the Illinois Bicentennial Commission, State of Illinois Senate Recognition for dedication, and Grand Marshal of the 2005 Gilman Old Boys & Girls Reunion parade.

She spent much of her life doing for others in many ways, but her greatest treasure was always her family, her friends and most of all her faith.

Lorraine is survived by one daughter, Judy (Gene) Miller of Onarga; seven grandchildren, Todd (Carrie) Miller, Tyler (Kim) Miller, Tammy (Dan) Pree, all of Gilman, Terry (Janell) Miller and Tim Miller, all of Onarga, Ryan (Jes) Schriefer of Tolono and Ross Schriefer of Champaign; 10 great-grandchildren; and two step-great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, one son and daughter-in-law Rod and Rilla (Hanna) Schriefer, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Orend and Emma (Schriefer) Decker and one nephew Leroy Decker.

The Redenius Funeral Home in Gilman is in charge of arrangements.

Please sign the guest book at www.redeniusfuneralhomes.com.