Lorraine P. Bjornson was born on July 25, 1926 in Seattle, Washington to T. William "Bill" and Marie Read, the first of two children. Shortly thereafter, she moved with her parents to Edmonton, Alberta where she lived for nine years.  It was in Edmonton that her father and mother felt called into the ministry, returning to Seattle so that her father could attend Simpson Bible Institute now Simpson University in Redding,  California. While her dad was receiving his Bible training, Lorraine was busy carrying love notes between couples who were not allowed to socialize outside of the classroom.  She always had the latest on who was dating whom. What an awesome responsibility for a nine year old. She was well supplied with "goodies" in exchange for her silence.

Growing up in a minister's home required many moves.  She always wowed that she would never marry a preacher because of the frequent moves.  Instead, she married a banker who ended up in ministry and moved just about as many times as her parents did. When it comes to the Lord's leading never say never.

She graduated from High School just before the end of WWII from Bremerton High School in Bremerton, Washington where her father was ministering at the time.  Not long after graduation the family moved to Portland, Oregon where Lorraine worked in a war related job.  After the war ended she found employment at a bank in Portland.

In her late teens Lorraine dedicated her life to the Lord's service at Canby Grove Camp, Canby, Oregon under the ministry of the late Dr. Richard Harvey, a former resident of Shell Point. That fall she enrolled at Simpson graduating from the Seattle campus in 1950.

After graduation she found work at a local bank in Seattle, where she met her future husband, Stanley Bjornson. They were married on December 28, 1951, and would have celebrated their 54th anniversary this December.

Lorraine was described by her husband as a loving wife who always supported him in their ministry assignments, a dedicated mother of three wonderful children, and a proud grandmother of four precious grandchildren.  He also remembers her love for music. She sang in her college choir, traveled with a ladies trio for the school up and down the west coast, and in the choir at the Village Church.

She is survived by her husband, Stan, daughter Lynda Bjornson Zetin PhD., son-in-law Mark Zetin, MD, son Timothy, daughter-in-law Dawn Bjornson, daughter Pamela Gardner and son-in-law Clayton Gardner both Salvation Army ministers in Concord, California, sister Carol Dougherty and brother-in-law Barry plus four grandchildren, one nephew, and one niece.

-Stanley Bjornson

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To remember your loved one on www.shellpoint.net, send your written remembrance, as well as any photos, to thevillagechurch@shellpoint.net. You can also send them to The Village Church, attn: Remembrances, 15100 Shell Point Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33908.  If you wish your photos returned to an address outside Shell Point, please supply a self-addressed stamped envelope.