Lorraine Margrette Keisner
July 20, 1945 — Nov. 21, 2023

Lorraine Margrette Keisner, age 78, passed away on November 21, 2023, in Fortuna. Born on July 20, 1945, in Oakland to Josephine Velasquez and Antonio Velasquez, she was the youngest of 16 children. Lorraine was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend, known for her exceptional cooking skills and her dedication to helping others.

Lorraine’s culinary journey began as a cook for Taholah School in Washington in 1974, where she lovingly prepared meals for the students. Her passion for cooking led her to Glen Paul Center in Eureka, Loleta School in Loleta, and finally, Bear River Community Center, where she cooked until 2012, then worked for the elders driving them to their appointments. She kept track of when and who they needed to see. She loved helping. She retired in 2018.

Lorraine’s cooking brought joy and nourishment to countless individuals throughout her career, some of her most famous culinary works being doll cakes, boob cakes, Halloween spider cakes, as well as many other brilliantly beautiful cakes and humorous joke cakes. She was also recognized and was interviewed when she cooked for Loleta School for making healthy homemade foods. Their lunch count went up, and even parents started lunching there. She was an incredible cook.

Beyond the kitchen, Lorraine was a woman of many talents and interests. She had a passion for animals, so much so that when her children were teens, they had to alert her before going into the kitchen in the morning on account of the family of skunks she fed in there. She actively participated in charity events to raise funds for various causes. Such walking for the March of Dimes, charity events for the disabled, and Relay for Life, an annual event dedicated to supporting cancer victims. In her 70s, she even took up boxing, fearlessly embracing new challenges. Lorraine’s adventurous spirit and dedication to helping others made her a strong female figure to her family, always instilling the values of hard work, kindness and above all humor (although her oldest son Robert believes he has the best humor, he is still wrong, LOL). Her favorite farewell was “stay sober and pee on you later.”

Lorraine will be deeply missed by her husband, Glenn Keisner, and her children, Robert Hipol, Theresa Staley, Manuel Hipol, and Glenn Keisner Jr. She also leaves behind a legacy of love in her grandchildren, Tia, Warren, Andrew, Tyler, Jessica, Ari, Ashley, Kendall, Glenn Jr, Chloe, and great-grandchildren Kaylie, Megan and Emmett as well as her brother Tony.    Lorraine was preceded in death by her parents, Josephine Velasquez and Antonio Velasquez, and her siblings, Josephine, Evelyn, Mary, Hilda, Claire, Jimmy, Albert, Walter, David, and Bobby and her great-granddaughter Penelope.

A celebration of Lorraine’s life will be held on December 9, 2023, at the Tish Non Village Community Center, Bear River, 266 Keisner Road, at 12 noon. This gathering will honor Lorraine’s long and beautiful memory, celebrating her as a mother, grandmother, friend, and a wonderful person in all aspects of life. The event will be potluck style, so attendees are encouraged to bring food if possible. Above all else, bring your love and cherished memories to share with others. Lorraine’s family hopes to see you there.

Lorraine Margrette Keisner will forever be remembered for her culinary talents, her love for animals, and her dedication to helping others. Her kindness, strength, and unwavering support will continue to inspire those who were fortunate enough to know her. May she rest in eternal peace.

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