Lana L. Loranger

Lana L. Loranger, age 77 of Grafton, North Dakota passed away on Friday, March 2, 2018 at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, North Dakota.

Lana Lorraine Hoving was born January 21, 1941 in Williston, North Dakota the daughter of the late Thor and Alma (Ellingsberg) Hoving. She attended school in Wheelock, ND and graduated from Williston High School in 1959. Lana attended Trinity School of Nursing in Minot, ND and received her RN degree in 1962. While in nurses’ training she met George Loranger, a young Airman First Class from Massachusetts, who had transferred to the Minot Air Force Base from McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, KS. Lana and George (or “Judd” as she called him as she couldn’t understand his thick Boston accent) were married on November 24, 1962 in Wheelock, ND. The couple moved to Grafton in 1971and Lana worked at the Lutheran Sunset Home as a nurse for 28 years. Throughout that time, she provided loving care to the residents and their families. Following her retirement in 2003, she worked as a parish nurse at St. John’s Catholic Church for four years, a role she thoroughly enjoyed. She continued her ministry of service through her volunteer work with Hospice of the Red River Valley.

Lana was a member of Grafton Lutheran church and WELCA. She participated in the LaBohme Club and served as past secretary/treasurer of the Sunshine Senior Citizens. She loved playing Bridge and was part of several Bridge clubs. As much as she enjoyed the card playing, she enjoyed the laughs and conversation with her fellow players even more.

Lana’s favorite saying was “everything in life is a lesson.” Any mistake or failing was quickly forgiven with this short phrase. Her most important life lesson, and one she taught by example every day, was how to be kind to others, deeply love your family, enjoy your friends, and find humor in all things. Lana left us sooner than we expected and without the opportunity to say goodbye. Perhaps her final life lesson is to not waste a single opportunity to hug your parent, spouse, grandparent, sibling, or friend and tell them you love them.

Lana is survived by her husband, George of Grafton, ND; children: David Loranger, Grand Forks, ND; Loni (Ed) Larson, Fargo, ND; two grandchildren: Daniel Larson and Leanne Larson, her sister, Andrea Long, Billings, MT and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Dani Desjarlais.

Funeral services will be Thursday, March 8, 2018 at 2:30 PM at Grafton Lutheran Church, 143 W. 5th St., Grafton, ND. Visitation will be Thursday for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Grafton Lutheran Cemetery in the spring. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Grafton Lutheran Kitchen Fund or Cemetery Fund, 143 W. 5th St. Grafton, ND 58237.