LORRAINE FLUEGGE

      Lorraine (Klug) Fluegge, 94, died peacefully Sept. 15, 2014, at Waterford Senior Living. She was born March 6, 1920, in Milwaukee to the late Charles and Augusta (Krause) Klug.

She married her beloved Harvey (Fluegge) on Sept. 3, 1939. He preceded her in death in July 1996.

During WWII, she worked tirelessly at a Milwaukee hosiery factory while Harvey was running an Optical Lab for the U.S. Army serving in Okinawa, Japan. After the war, she joined Harvey working part time at Fluegge Optical then located in Milwaukee. She happily continued working part time at Fluegge Optical in Waterford until 2009.

The Fluegge family (complete with four boys) moved from the City of Milwaukee to rural Waterford in 1958 marking the beginning of a new legacy of memories. Immediately finding herself needed as the ‘personal transportation director’ for many neighborhood students that attended nearby Apple School, she would carry them all daily in her 1955 Ford wagon. She continued as a driver, tour guide and chaperone for these kids from 1958-1964.

Typically overshadowed by the testosterone-driven household she lived in, Lorraine found ways to exert her independence. An entrepreneur at heart, she subsidized the household income (beginning in the 1960s) by selling Avon, using her income for precious Christmas presents. She also took upholstery classes. Those skills helped to update the family home or to help others in their projects. She was a ‘listening member’ of the Milwaukee Hammond Organ Social Club, participating after Harvey’s death for many years. Also she was a long-term member of the Grand Chapter Order of Eastern Star Union Grove WI No. 71, serving in many capacities. She was a working woman ahead of her time.

As the years rolled on and her boys were growing up, she would patiently watch as they worked on their many cars, cleaned up the oil and dirt they spilled in the house and finally stored all their car parts and memories for 50+ years. She observed many a ‘car show’ typically hosted unofficially in her own back yard. Contending with never-ending burnouts in the driveway all the while trying to enjoy a swim in her pool or watching over one of many beloved dogs.

She loved to have her family come ‘home’ at the holidays and loved that even her grandchildren knew they were welcome to stay at her house. She relished in the successes and accomplishments of family and friends and cried over the heartaches of living, while remaining always encouraging to others. Those moments were typically all at her favorite kitchen table, complete with a never-ending cup of coffee. That was Lorraine.

Survivors include her sons, Jerry (Jeanne), Michigan and Florida, Loren preceding her in death (Mary), Racine, Glenn Sr. (Sharon), Waterford, Dale (Cheryl), Waterford; grandchildren, Scott (Stacy), Florida, Kasha, Michigan, Glenn Jr. (Kathy), Burlington, Loren Jr. (Racine), Philip (Anna), Texas, Tyler, Kenosha; great-grandchildren, Addison and Ender, Florida; nieces and nephews, Lee (Cathy) Anderson, DePere, Lynne (John) Woolfert, Milwaukee, Donna (Tom) Brede, Milwaukee, Bob (Chris) Storm, Franklin; other relatives and friends.

She was further preceded in death by brother, Howard (Dorothy) Klug; sisters, Esther (Russell) Anderson, Elaine (Ralph) Storm; many other dear family members.

Friends, too many to name, but one in particular deserves special mention, Lorrie Hanson – not just a dear friend, but dedicated neighbor and hairdresser.

Lorraine was true to the statement ‘she aged as she had lived’ by maintaining her sweet, kind, occasionally sassy dressed-in-purple self, until her last breath. Her presence will be greatly missed, but memories of her remain very much alive in our hearts.

A private memorial service was attended by family members.

The family expresses appreciation to Waterford Senior Living Staff (WSL) for the wonderful care and attention given to Lorraine. Special thanks to the activities team at WSL, that so diligently worked daily to keep not only Lorraine actively engaged, but each and every resident in their care. Thanks to the Allay Hospice team for the exceptional comfort care they provided. Also, thank you to Glen and Rebecca Miller at Miller-Reesman for their thoughtful attention to details.

Miller-Reesman Funeral Home, Union Grove, served the family.