Lorraine M. Muschinske

Lorraine Mae Muschinske, age 91, of Bell Tower Residence, Merrill, passed away Thursday, November 4, 2021. Lorraine, the daughter of the late Arthur and Ella (Gruetzmacher) Hagedorn, was born on November 22, 1929, in Merrill. She was baptized in St. James Lutheran Church in the Town of Pine River and affirmed her faith in Jesus on May 17, 1942, in St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in the Town of Pine River. She was raised on the family farm in the Town of Pine River, attended the Goettchel Elementary School, Merrill Senior High School graduating in 1947, and Lincoln County Teacher’s College graduating in 1949. On June 2, 1951, she married Gerald A. Muschinske in St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Pine River. She continued to pursue her education and received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point. She took post graduate courses at UWSP. Lorraine taught a total of 39 years: teaching at French Ridge School (1949-1951), Brickyard School (1951-1960), Irma State Graded School (1961-1968), and Washington School (1968-1989). She retired in 1989. She was dedicated to her teaching profession and received numerous awards for her achievements. Among them were Merrill Teacher of the Year Awards (1978 and 1987), UWSP Outstanding Practitioner in the Field of Education Award (1980), Liberty Bell Award (1983), CESA 9 and Wisconsin Elementary Teacher of the Year Award (1987), and the Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Award (1993). Following retirement in 1989 Lorraine became involved with the Merrill Historical Society and the Brickyard School Museum. From 1993-1996 she served as Co-Director of the school museum and was its Director from 1997-2009. Beginning in the year 2000 the Brickyard School became the site of a living history lesson for Merrill area first graders. Lorraine orchestrated the program lessons and visitations from 2000-2009. A highlight of Lorraine’s teaching career came in 2010 when she was selected as a participant in the documentary – County School: One Room-One Nation which was produced and filmed by Fourth Wall Films Moline, Illinois. Lorraine was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma International Society (being inducted in 1964), Sigma State Chapter, Alpha Omicron Chapter (serving as president for five years) and Gamm Chapter. She was a member of Lincoln County Retired Educators, Wisconsin Retired Educators Association, Merrill Lioness Club, Merrill Historical Society serving on the Board of Directors and as Director of Brickyard School Museum. Lorraine was a member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Miriam Circle, Altar Guild and WELCA. She served on the Church Council and various church committees. She enjoyed doing volunteer work, gardening, reading, music and travel. She and her husband Gerald were avid travelers which took them to all 50 states and 67 countries on all seven continents. She and Gerald enjoyed sharing their travel experiences by presenting travelogues to various clubs and organizations. Lorraine is survived by two nieces, Nancy (Phil) Woller of Plover and Joan Hagedorn of Madison; a nephew, Richard (Hannah) Hagedorn III of Monroe; sisters-in-law, Nathalie Muschinske of Stevens Point and Doris (Gerald) Schield of Stevens Point; and other nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Lorraine is preceded in death by her husband, Gerald Muschinske in 2015; her parents, Arthur and Ella Hagedorn; her brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Dolores Hagedorn, Sr.; three nephews, Richard Hagedorn, Jr., Mark Hagedorn, and Daniel Hagedorn; two brothers-in-law, George and Walter Muschinske; a sister-in-law, Mae Muschinske; and a niece, Beth Schield. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, November 13, 2021, at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Merrill. The Rev. Patricia Schutz will officiate. Burial will take place in Merrill Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 9:30 A.M. Saturday at the church. The Taylor-Stine Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Merrill is assisting the family. Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com