YOUR AD HERE »

D. Lorraine Pendleton Tescher:1926-2014

D. Lorraine Pendleton Tescher

1926-2014

D. Lorraine Pendleton Tescher, 88, went to the Lord on October 6, 2014.



She was a kind and gentle soul who spent most of her life taking care ofmothers.

Lorraine was born in Mills, Wyo., Feb. 19, 1926 to Samuel “Dick” and Mary “Irene” (Rathbun) Pendleton. She was raised on the prairie in Westerheim Community north of Sentinel Butte, N.D.



With her siblings Gladys and Wayne, she was raised in a tarpaper shack, rode a horse to a one-room school, carried water, shocked grain, and milked cows. She wrote that she had a “nurtured and happy” childhood.

Lorraine was educated at Olson and Westerheim Country Schools, then graduated from Sentinel Butte High School in 1944. That summer, she went to college in Dickinson and by fall, because it was wartime, she taught kids some just four years younger than herself.

About this time a dashing young cowboy came courting. In June 1946, she married Tom Tescher at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Sentinel Butte. She said their wedding was one of the first after the war. Soldiers, just home, proudly wore their uniforms to the wedding and it was a huge community celebration.

Between the ages of 21 and 42 Lorraine had 10 babies. She took each new

baby into her arms lovingly and when asked how anyone could possibly have 10 kids, she’d say, “You don’t have 10 all at one time, it was always just one more.”

While Tom was gone rodeoing, Lorraine ran the ranch, raised kids and kept her house cleaner than most. Everyone marveled at the good meals she made from basic ingredients. Her home and dinner table were a neighborhood meeting place.

Although Lorraine’s life wasn’t easy, she always found joy in things around her. She loved her babies and grandbabies – and had a special place in her heart for baby animals especially birds and kitties. She loved the outdoors and saw God’s beauty everywhere.

She had common sense and country wisdom. Her children can still hear her say “Begun is half done,” “Open that cleaning rag all the way,” or “Wash

your face and you’ll feel better.” She knew how to make a poultice, get a hen to set, and track a momma cat to find a new kittens. When company was coming, she said, “Quick everyone pick up 10 things.”

Lorraine taught her children by example. She believed moral actions were more important than wealth, education or worldly successes. She defended the absent, easily recognized those in need and counseled the brokenhearted.

She placed little trinkets on her kitchen window sill to remind her of someone in need of prayers. As she washed dishes – she’d pray. She’d tell her children to pray to St. Anthony for lost items and to “say a little prayer” when they passed an ambulance with flashing lights. She had a special relationship with the Blessed Mother.

Lorraine was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Medora, charter member of the Friendly Neighbors Homemaker’s Club in Sentinel Butte a tour

guide at the Chateau DeMores, and after her children left home, she was on a pool league.

She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings and her husband of 63 years.

Lorraine is survived by her 10 children, Bill (Jocelyn) Tescher of Mandan, Carol (Val) Obrigewitch of Sentinel Butte; Don (Ebba) Tescher of Sheridan, Wyo.; Becky (Pete) Robison of Huntley, Mont.; Teresa(Mark) Voll of Sidney, Mont.; and Emily Tescher (Roger Schmaltz of Velva, N.D.; Ted (Kay) Tescher; Doug (Julie) Tescher; Beth (Kevin) Clyde; Perry Tescher (Melanie Foster) all of Medora; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In Lorraine’s memory, memorials can be sent to a child with a medical need.