Lorraine Ann Gates Stodden, 80 of Sioux City, Iowa passed away December 12, 2019, surrounded by her loved ones. A Celebration of Life will be held 1:00pm Sunday, October 10, 2021 at Waterbury Funeral Services of Sioux City, 4125 Orleans Ave.

Lorraine A. Gates Stodden was born June 11, 1939 in Curlew, Iowa. She was the daughter of Dolliver and Beva (Schupfer) Gates and the youngest of 11 children. She grew up in Curlew and later moved to California where she graduated from high school. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and graduated cum laude from Briar Cliff College in 1965. While working full time and raising a family, Lorraine then went on to earn a Master’s Degree from University of South Dakota in 1969.  Over the next 35 years, Lorraine taught grade school in Sioux City and Sergeant Bluff. Her Favorite subject to teach was math. She touched the lives of multiple generations of Sergeant Bluff children and loved her profession.

She enjoyed her retirement with children and grandchildren in Sioux City and Phoenix. Her grandchildren Brian, Jason, Jacob and Jessica were one of the greatest joys in her life. They enjoyed playing cards, board games and video games together. She attended many of her grandchildren’s events and taught them how to make a delicious apple pie.

Lorraine was a lifelong avid reader with a keen interest in mysteries and crimes. She loved to hunt for bargains and find interesting ways to reuse and recycle goods. She spoiled her dogs Bertha, Bubba and Missy. After retirement, Lorraine also volunteered at the YMCA daycare and served at local election precincts. She enjoyed gardening, crosswords puzzles, and later in life, water aerobics.

Survivors include her daughters, Sandra Rasmussen (Chris) of Dakota Dunes, South Dakota, and Cindy Stodden-Blackburn (Michael) of Phoenix, Arizona; four grandchildren, Brian Rasmussen of Chicago Illinois, Jason Rasmussen of Denver, Colorado, Jacob Blackburn of Phoenix, Arizona, and Jessica Blackburn of Phoenix Arizona; her sister, Patricia (Richard) Hough of Adair, Iowa and brother-in-law, Keith (Jeanette) Snavely.

She is predeceased by her parents; siblings Veronica Hersom, Mildred (Dale) Ridenour, Arnold (Mary) Gates, Irene (Charles) Johnson, Darlene (Robert) Bovenzi, Merle (Jackie) Gates, Donald (Joan) Gates, Kenneth (Barbara) Gates, Jeanette (Keith) Snavely; and many nieces and nephews.