Lorraine Reynolds, 95, Owatonna
Lorraine Dorothy (Sommer) Reynolds was born on Jan. 29, 1931, in Owatonna, to Gordon Sommer and Martha Sommer. She grew up on a farm near Owatonna and attended a country school through the eighth grade before graduating from Owatonna High School in 1949.
After graduation, Lorraine attended beauty school in Mankato and became a licensed beautician. She later worked at the Gillespie Beauty Shop in Owatonna, where she developed skills, she would continue to share with family and friends throughout her life.
In 1953, Lorraine met the love of her life, Delmer Robert "Bob" Reynolds, at the Monterey Ballroom in Owatonna. After only two dates, Bob was drafted to serve in the Korean War. During the three years he was away, Lorraine and Bob faithfully wrote letters to one another. Just one week after his return home, they became engaged and were married on Sept. 23, 1956. Together they built a loving family and shared seventy years of marriage, celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary on Sept. 23, 2026.
In 1967, Lorraine and Bob purchased and operated King Tut's Pizza Palace in Owatonna. Alongside their children, they proudly ran the family business for 18 years, creating lasting memories and strong ties within the community.
Family was always the center of Lorraine's life. While raising their children in Owatonna, Lorraine and Bob purchased property on Devil's Lake near Brandon, Minn., in 1975. Over the next five decades, the property became the setting for countless family gatherings, camping trips, fishing excursions, and treasured memories. In 1993, they built their retirement home there, a place Lorraine deeply loved.
The lake offered Lorraine the opportunity to spend time in nature, something that brought her great joy. She loved watching birds, tending her flowers and garden, and appreciating the beauty of the outdoors. Lorraine also shared her beautician talents with her husband, children, and mother for many years. She was a gifted seamstress, crocheter, quilter, baker, and homemaker
Lorraine enjoyed traveling, attending local concerts, solving puzzles and word searches, fishing, and playing cards. She had a passion for preserving memories through photography and carefully maintained numerous photo albums documenting family milestones and special occasions. She was also known for her baking and hospitality, delighting family and friends with birthday cakes, pies, cookies, donuts, homemade bread, and large holiday meals that brought everyone together around her table. Lorraine was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church, where her faith remained an important part of her life.
Lorraine, age 95, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026, at Vista Prairie at Windmill Ponds in Alexandria.
She is survived by her sons, Steven (Chris) Reynolds of Owatonna; Larry Reynolds of Claremont; and her daughters, Patricia (Al) Jeter of Fuquay-Varina, N.C.; Debra (Jim) Breister of Oakdale; and Sandra (Ann) Reynolds of Mason City; nine grandchildren, Melissa (Shawn) Jacobsen and Joshua Reynolds both of Faribault; Trista (Adam) Babcock of Medford; Savanah (Taylor) Warren of Charlotte, N.C.; Samantha Reynolds and Zachary Reynolds both of Fargo; Jeremy Breister and Justin Breister both of Oakdale; Karen Jeter of Fuquay-Varina, N.C.; five great-grandchildren, and cousin, Delbert Sommer.
Lorraine was preceded in death by her parents, Gordon W. Sommer and Martha Sommer; her beloved husband, Bob Reynolds; her sister, Betty Caswell, and brother-in-law, Sam Caswell; her brother, Gordon L. Sommer Jr.; her daughter-in-law, Angie Reynolds; and several dear friends.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 13, 2026, at St. John Lutheran Church in Owatonna, with visitation one hour prior to the service and a reception to follow. Inurnment for Lorraine and Bob will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2026.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Hospice Foundation (St. Cloud branch) or Grace Lutheran Church-Mission Endowment Fund. Arrangements by Anderson Funeral Home and Crematory. www.andersonfuneral.net.