Lorraine Mettler Obituary

Lorraine Mettler, 93, Eureka, SD, died Friday, April 25, 2025 at the Eureka Community Hospital.
Lorraine Mae Opp, daughter of Frieda (Pfeiffer) and Jacob D. Opp, Jr, was born August 21, 1931 at Eureka, the third of 10 children. She was brought up NE of Eureka and attended country school. At age 10, she worked as a hired childcare worker for neighboring families. Later, she was employed by the Luncheonette and the Midway in Eureka. Lorraine and Eugene Meidinger were married at the Eureka Reformed Church on June 24, 1951. Eugene and Lorraine lived and worked on the Meidinger farm 8 ½ miles SE of Eureka for 25 years. Eugene died May 5, 1977, prompting Lorraine to sell the farm and move into Eureka, where she worked as a salesclerk at her brother, Milo's, business, Opp Clothiers. Lorraine married Howard Mettler at the First Congregational Church in Sioux Falls, SD on August 20, 1988. They lived on Howard's farm nine miles east of Eureka. In 1994, the couple moved to Eureka where Lorraine lived the rest of her life. She was a member of the Eureka Reformed Church where she sang in the choir, taught Sunday school and was in the Ladies Aide. She also belonged to the Eureka Hospital Auxiliary, Eureka American Legion Auxiliary, the Farmerettes Extension Club, The Eureka Pioneer Board, the Eureka Senior Center, and the Avera Eureka Healthcare Center Advisory Council. Lorraine was an expert gardener and enjoyed quilting.
Lorraine is survived by one son, Terrance E. Meidinger of Salt Lake City, Utah; one daughter, Shirley M. (Randy) Lund of Sioux Falls; two brothers- Rheinhold Opp of St Paul, Minnesota and Lawrence Opp of Sioux Falls; two sisters- Gloria Gilbert of Rapid City, SD and Geraldine (Gary) Schnabel of Yankton, SD; 11 grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren.
Lorraine's grandchildren are-Erin (Meidinger) Shah, Andrea (Meidinger) Christiansen, Megan Meidinger, Jenae Lund, Evan Lund, Allison Mettler, Michael Mettler, Jeffrey Mettler, Matthew Matsuyama, Alex Mettler, and Maddie Mettler. Great-grandchildren are Nadina Shah; Louis, Simon, and Nolan Christiansen; Arlo Dunlap; and Emma and Paige Mettler.
In addition to Eugene, Lorraine was preceded in death by her second husband, Howard, on May 15, 2016; her parents, Jacob and Frieda; four brothers- Gilbert, Hilmer, Milo, & Harry Opp; and one sister- Priscilla Schmitt.
Funeral services are scheduled for 3:00 PM, Saturday, May 3, 2025 at the Eureka Reformed Church with Pastor Jimmy John Hall leading the service. Burial follows at the Eureka Cemetery. Organist will be Bobbi Jo Carr; Soloist Terry Meidinger will sing "Amazing Grace"; A violin recording, "Ashokan Farewell", will be played by granddaughter, Andrea; Congregational Hymn will be "Holy, Holy, Holy"; and usher will be Earl Mehlhaff.
Casketbearers will be Lorraine's son, Terrance; son-in-law, Randy Lund; Evan Lund of Port Townsend, WA; Michael Mettler of Harrisburg, SD; Jeffrey Mettler of Rock Island, IL; and Michael Opp of Aberdeen, SD.
Honorary bearer is Gary Ackerman of Eureka.
Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 PM Friday at Lien-Straub-Carlsen Chapel of Eureka.
Lorraine's funeral will be livestreamed at the Lien Family Funeral Care Facebook page.
Services are in the care of Lien-Straub-Carlsen Chapel of Eureka.
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