Lorraine Virginia Van Dell Cournoyer

Lorraine Virginia Van Dell Cournoyer

May 7, 1921 – June 28, 2025

Lorraine Virginia Van Dell Cournoyer, age 104, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at October Cottage Elder Care in Scandia, Minnesota.

Lorraine was born on May 7, 1921, in Duluth, Minnesota. She was the third of seven children and one of three daughters born to Theodore and Rose Couture. Her siblings were Clarence Couture, Teddy Couture, Marguerite Genereau, Frank Couture, Gerry Couture, and Adrienne Manta (Ronnie).

Lorraine grew up in Duluth, where her faith was nurtured in the Holy Rosary Parish. She attended a French school for a time and graduated high school as valedictorian from St. Scholastica.

On November 4, 1944, she married William Clifford Van Dell from Proctor, MN when he was home on leave from World War II.

Lorraine was preceded in death by her first husband, William, four of her children, Patricia Handlos, Tim Van Dell, Bill Van Dell, and Tom Van Dell, her parents and all siblings except Adrienne. In 1996, at the age of 75, Lorraine remarried to Richard “Dick” Cournoyer of North St. Paul. They shared 27 happy years together until Dick’s passing in 2022.

Lorraine is survived by her children Barbara Van Dell Robinson (Paul), Mary Jo Van Dell, Beverly Van Dell (Bobby Bowen), and Keith Van Dell (Karri); as well as her beloved daughter in laws, Patricia Van Dell (Tim) and Jody Van Dell (Tom), her sister Adrienne Manta, 21 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; and 15 great-great-grandchildren—a remarkable legacy of 71 descendants.

A gifted musician, Lorraine could read music but mostly played piano by ear and entertained the community for years in venues such as the Northernaire in Maplewood and other popular supper clubs of the 1960s & 70’s. In the 1980s, she joined a country western band, taking on guitar, bass, lead, and backup vocals—she did it all.

Professionally, Lorraine served as a musical therapist at White Bear Care Center, where she developed and led a traveling group called the Peppy Seniors Jazz Band, along with a senior choir, bringing music and joy to countless residents of area nursing homes. She continued working into her early seventies.

Lorraine had a lifelong love of the outdoors, biking, cooking, music, caring for her many beloved dogs, including Annie and Stormy, being with her family, she had a green thumb and kept many plants. She never drove a car, preferring to walk or bike everywhere in White Bear Lake. She decided to reconnect with downhill skiing at age 65. She loved cross country skiing as well and had many fun adventures with the family on those. Summers were spent with Dick at their summer home at “Ida Rather Be Fishing” Resort on Lake Ida near Alexandria, where they made many lasting friendships. Her humor and timing was highly regarded. She had a great laugh.

A devout Catholic, Lorraine attended daily Mass for many years and considered her faith in Jesus the most important part of her life.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 8:00 PM on Tuesday, July 8, at Mueller Memorial, 4738 Bald Eagle Ave, White Bear Lake, MN. A second visitation will take place on Wednesday, July 9, from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at St. Mary’s of the Lake Catholic Church, 4741 Bald Eagle Ave, White Bear Lake, with Mass of Christian Burial starting at 11:00 AM. Interment will be at St. Mary of the Lake Cemetery on Stillwater Street. A luncheon will follow at Mueller Memorial.

Lorraine will be remembered for her music, her warmth, her humor, her devotion to family and faith, and the many lives she touched with her kindness and generosity. She will be dearly missed.

The family is establishing a memorial fund in the name of Lorraine towards a meaningful purpose and will be shared when finalized.