Lorraine E. Saunders was born on August 26, 1924 and passed away on March 25, 2007 in Oak Harbor. She was born in Wyndmere, N.D., to Charles and Erna Ebel, farmers of German descent, and was the second eldest of 12 children.

At 18, Lorraine was swept off her feet by Chester Saunders of Cayuga, N.D., and they married on Nov. 2, 1942, just prior to his being shipped out to New Zealand during World War II.

After the war, they lived briefly in Richland, Wash., and Davenport, Iowa but eventually located to the Bay Area in California where they raised their daughter and son.

Lorraine was an extremely talented and gifted woman. While raising her family, she worked as an Arthur Murray dance instructor, and then began a cake decorating business in her home. Later, she became a floral designer and won many awards for her artistic talent and creativity. Her talents also included calligraphy, sewing, knitting, crocheting, painting, and virtually any new craft trend that became popular. She also volunteered as a Sunday school teacher and choir member for the Alder Avenue Baptist Church in Fremont, Calif.

In 1985 Lorraine and Chet initially retired to Red Bluff, Calif. In 2002, they moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho to be near their son but relocated to Whidbey Island in 2005 to be near their daughter.

Lorraine is survived by her husband of 64 years, Chester, her daughter Pam, son, Monte, two brothers, six sisters, four grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.

Services will be held at Burley Funeral Chapel on Wednesday, March 28 at 12 noon, with interment to follow at Maple Leaf Cemetery in Oak Harbor.