Lorraine Helen Walahoski was born July 21, 1937, in rural Valley Count to Anton and Helen (Knebel) Welniak. She passed away May 9, 2026, in Seward, at the age of 88 years, 9 months and 18 days.
Lorraine grew up on the family farm, near Elyria, and attended elementary school in rural Valley County. Growing up as the only daughter, with four brothers, she learned to be a great cook, but was also comfortable helping out with the farm chores. She enjoyed attending local dances where she met her husband, David “Dave.” They were united in marriage Feb. 8, 1955, at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Elyria. The couple celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in 2025. Their marriage was blessed with three children, Becky, Dave and Christi, six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
After marriage, Dave and Lorraine lived on a farm near Ord for a short time before moving to Ord for several years. Lorraine was a stay-at-home mom to the couple’s three children and supported the family as they relocated to several towns in eastern Nebraska supporting Dave’s work career. The family settled in Newman Grove in 1969, where she continued to raise and support her family. She did start work outside the home, including many years at the local City Café and the Hombre Steak House. She worked as a waitress and made many good friends among the Café’s regulars, employees and the out-of-town visitors who passed through the main street meeting place.
In 1970, Lorraine found her career calling when a family friend asked her to be his back-up school bus driver for the Newman Grove Public Schools. She quickly became a regular route driver and went on to safely and lovingly transport thousands of kids to and from school for the next 45 years, before retiring from the bus in 2015. Lorraine was proud of the fact that she was able to transport multiple generations of families on her bus. The kids enjoyed the tasty popcorn balls and other homemade treats and maybe some occasional motherly discipline or advice from Mrs. Walahoski!
In addition to her bus kids Lorraine, was a loving mother and Gramma to her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed attending their activities, whether it was soccer, golf, baseball or other school activity. She spoiled the grandkids year around, but the annual Christmas gatherings with Gramma ‘Raine were her (and the kids) favorite. She always had a well-stocked candy drawer, homemade cookies and those famous popcorn balls. She seemed to have a direct line to the grandkids’ Santa list to know just the right toy, game, team jersey or collectible they were hoping for.
Everyone looked forward to her delicious cooking, including homemade dumplings, kraut and polish sausage, kolaches, carrot cake and pretty much anything else she cooked up. She enjoyed decorating her home for all the holidays, adding new things every year. In addition to the annual Christmas gatherings, she loved to host family get-togethers and the extended family vacations to Breckenridge, Door County or points in between. She enjoyed reading books and newspapers, including solving the daily jumble word puzzle. She loved watching the Husker volleyball matches on TV. She enjoyed her bowling league team, including annual trips to the state tournament over the years.
Lorraine and Dave moved to Seward in 2021 to be closer to family. They resided at Kinship Pointe, where they made many new friends. Lorraine moved to Ridgewood Care Center in 2023 following a heart attack and stroke. She enjoyed interacting with the nurses and aides who provided such great care and love to her, eventually earning the affectionate title of “The Don-- Director of Nursing” from her caregivers.
Lorraine was preceded in death by her husband, Dave, in March 2025, by her parents and four brothers, Alfons, Floyd, Ted and Lawrence Welniak.
Survivors cherishing the memory of her lifelong love and support are: children and spouses, Becky (Ted) Tinker of Lincoln, Dave (Judy) Walahoski of Loudon, Tennessee, Christi (Bob) ten Bensel of Seward; grandchildren and spouses, Matthew (Stacy) Soward, of Columbus, Levi (Karen) Soward of Lincoln, Jake Walahoski of Augusta, Georgia, Jared (Rachel) Walahoski of Brunswick, Georgia, Drew ten Bensel of Seward, and Cailin ten Bensel (Zach Johnson) of Kansas City, Kansas; step-grandchildren, Mike (Kathy) Tinker of Pierce, Bob Tinker of North Platte, and Carrie (Dana) Moore of Battle Creek, great-grandchildren, Ethan (Elise Fjell), Brandon, Connor, Camden, Reese; and step-great-grandchildren, Sarah and Abby.
Visitation with family is Tuesday, May 19, from 4 – 6 p.m. at Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, May 20, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church with a graveside service at the Ord Cemetery on Thursday, May 21, at 11:30 a.m..
Arrangements by Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home.
