Lorraine Kay (Hance) Newell, 81, of Webster, Kansas, departed this life on May 3, 2025, at Rooks County Health Center.
She was born at home on the family farm in Webster on April 24, 1944, to Raymond and Christine Hance, and graduated from Webster High School in 1962. She married Gary Newell on October 20, 1962, and from this union, they had four daughters. They later divorced. Lorraine had a love of nature and animals! As a child, she had a pet deer, Judy, whom they fished out of the creek as a fawn, and a pet raccoon named Petey.
She enjoyed many activities and hobbies throughout her life. She was an artist and painted black and white portraits into color, and was an avid quilter and seamstress. She was passionate about restoring antiques, curling up with a good book, cooking for her family, hosting family gatherings, and telling stories about “the good ole’ days.” She loved all types of music and dancing, and would randomly break out and do “the Twist” when the mood struck her. She loved working in her flower beds, gardening, and putting up food “for a rainy day.” She never passed up a garage sale, thrift store, or antique shop.
Lorraine never knew a stranger. If you were fortunate enough to end up on her doorstep, you would be greeted with spirited conversation and would never leave with an empty stomach.
Lorraine was a hard worker. In her early years as a farmer’s wife, it was not uncommon to find her bottle-feeding litters of pigs, dogs, bunnies, kittens, or any other animal that needed a mom.
She was a devoted mother, grandmother, homemaker, and nurturer. She wore many hats in her later years, including roofing for Schult Homes, working the line at Travenol, cooking at the Graham County Hospital and Stockton Grade School, serving as a CMA at Larned State Hospital, and working as an in-home health Aide.
She is survived by her children, Monica (Chuck) Bebb, Lenora, Michelle (Kelly) Dreiling, Hill City, Desiree (Terry) Double, Plainville, and Deena (Terry) Paxson, Hill City; twin sister Lyndal Fetterolf, Pawnee Rock; brother John Hance, Stockton; 15 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Christine Hance; her brothers, Charles and Steve Hance; her grandson, Patrick Reilly; her nephew, Charles Velz; and her sons-in-law, Chuck Bebb and Terry Paxson.