Lorraine Kunnari

Lorraine Elizabeth Kunnari, 89, of rural Gilbert went home to be with her beloved Jesus on Friday, April 5, 2019. Her devoted husband Don, son Donn and daughter-in-law Marilyn were by her side as her soul and spirit returned to their Maker that they might be clothed with an eternal body. She believed the Scriptures: “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” Lorraine was born on Nov. 12, 1929 in Ely, MN to Swan and Ellen Johnson. She spent part of her childhood living in Los Angeles with her parents and brother Milt. The family returned to Minnesota after her mother’s death in 1945. Shortly thereafter, she met Don Kunnari in Palo, and they were married in Virginia on Feb. 22, 1947. They rented a farm on Mud Hen Lake in Markham for three years before buying their own farm in Palo where they raised their 11 children. After Don’s retirement, they sold the farm and lived on Bass Lake in Lakeland. Don and Lorraine made several moves in the past decade due to physical needs, and their final move was to take up residence in the home of their oldest son and his wife. Early in their marriage, Lorraine came to recognize her need of a Savior and put her trust in the Lord Jesus who said: “I am the way, the truth and the life; no man comes to the Father but by Me.” She believed John 1:12: “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” She was a devoted wife and godly example in fulfilling God’s purpose as a faithful helpmeet. She often shared Bible verses to encourage her family, friends and those she met to put their trust in the promises of God, not only for salvation, but also in the trials of life. Her children were blessed to grow up in a loving happy home where the following Bible truths were displayed: “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows them that put their trust in Him.” And, “You will keep them in perfect peace whose mind is stayed upon You, because he trusts in You.” Lorraine was always interested in each person she met, their home was open to all, and she often served additional “family” at the dinner table. She dearly loved each of her numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren and remembered each and every name as she faithfully prayed for all of them. Lorraine leaves behind her loving husband of 72 years, Don; their 11 children: Ellen (Joel) Nygaard of Palo, Connie (Dan) Miller of Gilbert, Diane (Brian) DeMarte of Virginia, Donn (Marilyn) Kunnari of rural Gilbert, Laurel (Al) Miller of Birchwood, WI, Dan (Diana) Kunnari of Ashton, IA, Kathy (Scott) Ortler of Lakeland, Tim (Tangi) Kunnari of Federal Dam, MN, Pete (Brenda) Kunnari of Aurora, Jack (Mariann) Kunnari of Fayal Township, and Rachel (Brackett) Paine of Palo; 50 grandchildren; 94 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; a step-brother Marvin Hill; and two special nieces, her brother Milt’s daughters Lynn Lundstrom and Judy Grumdahl. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, her infant son John Mark, two grandsons, Mark Nygaard and Jon Miller, and a great-granddaughter Eilee Vruno. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 11, 2019 at Grace and Truth Bible Church at 601 N. 12th St. in Virginia. Pastor Dan Miller will officiate. Visitation will be prior to the service at 12:30 p.m. A private ceremony and interment will be Friday at Rauha Cemetery in Palo. Arrangements are by Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home of Gilbert.