Lorraine Messicci

Lorraine Doris Messicci (nee Olding), Age 106 Born to William and Minnie Olding June 13, 1915, Lorraine was 6th in the line of 16 children: William (died as an infant), Mildred, Irene (died as an infant), Hazel, Pearl, Lorraine, Carl (aka Bud), Grace (aka Dolly), Warren (aka Brother), Rosemary (died as an infant), Marvel, James, John, David (died as an infant), MaryLou, and Jack. Lorraine was a dedicated and hard worker her entire life. Some of her more notable jobs included working for American Hoist & Derrick during WWII, where she painted equipment for submarines. Also during WWII and the Korean War she worked at the Ammunitions Plant in New Brighton where she was the final bullet inspector. She also filled hoppers with shells and worked packing on the assembly line (where she'd write notes to the soldiers and pack them in the boxes). She recalled the women working there had to sign a contract promising to give up their jobs to the men when they came home from the war. You may have run into her downtown St Paul working the Golden Rule, the Emporium, Field Schlick, or the bakery at Woolworth's. She may have served you a cup of coffee at Ramsey Hospital (now Regions), or boxed up your hair color or perms at Tony Company. In her free time, she'd cook & clean and take care of the house that her husband built, and raised three children. Lorraine passed away peacefully of natural causes June 30th. She is preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Joseph, and her daughter, Joanne. She is survived by two sisters, Marvel Rivard and MaryLou Wagner; son Joseph (Ardith); daughter Jeanne (Don); granddaughters Jennifer, Kimberly, Breanne; great- grandchildren Vinny, Nick, Giulianna, Sophia, Aurora & Jasper. Heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the entire staff of Ramsey County Care Center for the years of exceptional care & dedication. Services will be held Wed July 7th, 2021 at Mueller Memorial (835 Johnson Parkway at E7th St) Visitation: 10:00 Funeral: 11:00 Interment at Forest Lawn Cemetery