Lorraine Ruth Dunnihoo

Lorraine Ruth Dunnihoo left this earth on April 19, 2024 to join her husband, Max, and those friends and family who have gone before her. Lorraine was born on April 17, 1925 to Earl and Ruth (Melander) Gregg in Marvin, SD. She joined her sisters Jessie and Eva, and her brother Harry (Bud).

The family later moved to Watertown, SD where mom, as a teenager, met her future husband, Max Dunnihoo when he worked at a gas station across the street from her home. She would let the air out of her bicycle tires so she could have dad pump them back up. One day in August, 1939, dad planned to drive to Missouri to visit his parents. Mom went along and on the way home; they decided to get married in Iowa. It was a marriage that lasted almost 61 years until dad’s passing on May 19, 2000. To this family were born five children: Michael, Steven, Susan, Julie, and Jeffrey.

Mom spent the majority of her years working in restaurants/food service in a variety of capacities. In Minnesota she and dad owned and operated a successful dinner club. She was known for her special bar-b-que sauce. It was a secret and she would never give away nor sell the recipe. Even we don’t know how to make it!

When our family moved to Eugene in 1963, she continued to work at a variety of restaurants. It was in her blood and she was always cooking something in her dreams, even after she finally retired. Mom worked for many years for Lane County at the Events Center where she and her cohort, Marilyn, made delicious meals for conventions and special events. 

But food wasn’t her only passion. Mom volunteered as a Foster Grandparent, hosted foreign exchange students from around the world and was a recipient of the University of Oregon Friendship Foundation’s “International Friend of the Year Award”. She also taught quilting to many through classes at Willamalane. She hand-pieced and hand-quilted many quilts for her family members. She spent hours and hours making these cherished works of art for all of us.

Lorraine is survived by her children: Steve (Maureen); Susan (Terry) Miller and Julie Buller. She also leaves behind nine grandchildren, 14 great-grand children, 13 great-great grandchildren, and several nieces/nephews/great-nieces/great-nephews. Her favorite cat, Puma, mourns the loss of her mom. Memorials in her name may be made to Greenhill Humane Society.

A memorial service will be held at Bethesda Lutheran Church, 4445 Royal Ave., Eugene on Friday, May 3, 2024 at 2pm. The service will be live-streamed on the Church’s website.

Rest well, Mom.