Lorraine Eloise Lenore Dickinson's Obituary
Lorraine Eloise Lenore Dickinson, age 91, of Columbia Heights, Minnesota, formerly of Mystic, Iowa, passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday May 12, 2026 with her family at her side.
Lorraine was born on July 17, 1934, in Sacramento, California to Clarence and Elvira (Dominguez) Donovan. She was raised by her mother and beloved grandmother Julia Dominguez in Hayward, California where she graduated from high school and attended college.
On November 27, 1954, Lorraine married David Henry Dickinson Jr. in Reno, Nevada. Together they built their life in the San Francisco Bay Area and welcomed four children: Sharon, Clarice, David, and Thomas. In 1976, the family moved to southeastern Iowa and settled in Moulton. Lorraine loved the tranquility of country living and remained connected to the region all her life.
Known for her intelligence and talent with mathematics, Lorraine enjoyed working with numbers and developed an early interest in computers. She worked in accounting and tax preparation for many years, including serving as a tax auditor for the State of Iowa and later operating her own tax and accounting business.
After retirement, Lorraine devoted much of her time to quilting and creative design. She especially enjoyed the craftsmanship and creativity the art form allowed her to express. Lorraine took great pride in having four of her quilts displayed by the American Quilter's Society, an achievement that reflected her artistry and attention to detail. In addition to selling her original designs, Lorraine was active in local quilting guilds for many years and served as treasurer of the Material Girlz Quilt Guild in Centerville, Iowa. Lorraine also cherished the friendships and fellowship she found through the Church of Christ in Promise City, Iowa.
For the past five years, Lorraine lived with her daughter, Clarice, in the Minneapolis area. Together they purchased a home, allowing Lorraine to remain surrounded by family and cared for at home in her later years. She especially enjoyed visits with her great-grandchildren from Iowa and Minnesota, who lovingly called her Gigi.
Above all, Lorraine will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She loved her family deeply and unconditionally and took great joy in staying connected to the lives of those she cared about. Her kindness, creativity, and sharp mind will be greatly missed. Her legacy of learning and easy laughter will be carried on through those who knew her.
She is survived by her daughter, Clarice Bailey; her grandchildren, Jill (Seth) Fitzgerald, Robin (Shawn) Caley, Jeff Prater, Ruth Bailey, Hannah (Turner Barrowman) Bailey, and Julia (Joshua Lauer) Bailey; her brother, Jack (Pat) Donovan; several great-grandchildren; and extended family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, David Henry Dickinson Jr.; her children, Sharon Ruth Prater, David Scott Dickinson, and infant son Thomas Charles Dickinson; her brother, Raymond Donovan; and her parents, Clarence and Elvira Donovan.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00PM, Saturday, May 16, 2026 at Thomas Funeral Home in Moravia with Larry Bettis officiating. Burial will follow the service at Salem Cemetery in Moravia. Visitation will take place Saturday, May 16 at Thomas Funeral Home in Moravia, with the family greeting friends from 1:00PM-2:00PM. Condolences may be shared online at https://www.thomasfh.com or https://www.facebook.com/thomasfuneralhome .
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