Obituary of Lorna Waterhouse

Lorna Waterhouse, formerly of Hopkins, died Friday, June 19, 2009 with family at her side at Grace Pointe Crossing, in Cambridge, MN. She had just celebrated her 86th birthday. Born to William and Lorna Kloos of Donnelly, Minnesota, daughter Lorna was the eldest of four children, including brothers Bill, Herb and John. Lorna loved life and was very gregarious, even as a child, but she was also a serious student and graduated valedictorian from Alberta Public High School in 1941. Though she grew up on the family farm, she was drawn to the city for college and work. She attended the Minneapolis School of Business and landed her first real job out of college at Shell Oil Company in St. Paul. Lorna loved music and spent some of the best times of her life on the dance floor. She met her husband, Edwin Waterhouse, at the Prom Ballroom in St. Paul. They were married in a little church in Iowa on September 3, 1949. Over the next six years, they were blessed with three children, Scott, Jill and Susan �" "the perfect number" - as Lorna always said. Family was of great importance to her, so she gave up working �" even though she loved it �" to raise her family. Lorna was passionate when it came to her role as mother and homemaker and was truly a "supermom." She loved her children �" and her six grandchildren �" valuing each for their own unique personalities and gifts. In addition to her role as mother, Lorna enjoyed a number of hobbies including gardening, bowling, bridge and exercise. When her children were older, Lorna decided to enter the work force again and worked with gusto into her 70's. Lorna valued friendship and had many friends she adored. She loved to travel with the dearest of them and their adventures included trips across the county, a cruise and a trip to Europe among others. As a resident of Hopkins for almost 50 years, the friendships she developed there in the town she called "home" continued to the end. And, though Ed and Lorna divorced in 1981, they maintained a life long friendship and she remained close to his relatives. Lorna was a woman of elegance, grace, beauty and dignity �" and always treated others with respect and kindness. She was that rare personality who woke up cheery every day, and had a positive impact on everyone she met. Even through her challenges in the nursing home, Lorna had endeared many of the staff to her. She was a grand lady through it all. She will be remembered and missed for the way she loved, for her wonderful sense of humor, and for the twinkle in her bright blue eyes that remained to the end. Lorna was preceded in death by her parents, William and Lorna Kloos; and her brothers, Bill and John Kloos. She is survived by children, Scott (Linda) Waterhouse of Grand Marais, Jill Waterhouse (Lester Joos) of Minneapolis, Sue (Steve) Carlson of Cambridge; six grandchildren, Seth (Ky) Waterhouse, Noah (Bethany) Waterhouse, Tryg (fiancée Annie Canakes) Waterhouse, Erin (Shawn) Naber, Blair Carlson, Zachary Carlson, and one great grandchild, Joy Elizabeth Waterhouse; brother, Herb (Carol) Kloos of Donnelly, aunt, Mary Budd Holmes of Monticello, Florida, and former husband, Edwin Waterhouse of Remer, as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.