Lorraine Helen Shaw

A livestream of Lorraine's memorial service can be viewed in the box below this obituary beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 14, 2022.

Lorraine Helen Shaw peacefully passed away on February 8, 2022, at the Neillsville Retirement Community.

Born February 7, 1929, to Richard and Ida Hagedorn, Lorraine grew up on the family farm in the Township of Weston, Clark County, Wisconsin. She attended Fairview Country Grade School and Neillsville High School where she graduated with honors She worked as a secretary and eventually moved to Milwaukee to work at Allis Chalmers. She returned to Neillsville to work at the Clark County Courthouse, being appointed Deputy County Treasurer. On August 14, 1948, Lorraine married Henry Robert Shaw (Bob). They resided in Neillsville where Bob started Shaw's Heating and Air Conditioning business. Lorraine managed the books for Bob's business, spending many evening hours recording inventory, billing, and accounting while working for the Lynn Mutual Insurance Company. During this time, she attended night classes ultimately becoming a licensed agent of property, casualty and life insurance. When Lynn Mutual merged with another Wisconsin insurance company, Lorraine purchased Fairway Insurance Agency which she managed as an independent agent. She was a respected member of the Professional Insurance Agents of Wisconsin throughout her career and until her retirement in 1993.

Lorraine was a member of the United Church of Christ in Neillsville. She served on many committees, taught Sunday School and sang in the church choir. Lorraine was well known for her outstanding pies which yielded enthusiastic and generous donations from eager participants at the annual pie auction.

Lorraine loved to entertain. She was constantly trying new and trending kinds of cuisines and recipes, hosting cocktail and dinner parties. Lorraine was a sharp card player, bridge and cribbage being her favorites.

Lorraine and Bob joined her children in downhill skiing which led to many years of enjoyment with family and friends on the ski slopes of Wisconsin, Michigan, Colorado and Nevada. Bob loved to fish and Lorraine frequently joined him.

Lorraine was an avid golfer and June 16, 1994, with her skill and a little luck, she made a legendary hole in one, for which she received a gold putter.

Lorraine was a charter member of the Neillsville Chapter of P.E.O. International Sisterhood, serving in fund raising, as an officer, and mentoring women pursuing college financial support through the P.E.O. Projects for Financial Assistance in higher education.

Lorraine is remembered as a loving, playful and engaging Grammy, ready to read a book, made the best after school snacks and creative birthday cakes, and loved teddy bears and slumber parties.

She is survived by two children, Lori (Jerry Kvasnicka) Shaw of Rochester, MN and John Shaw of St. Louis Park, MN, two grandchildren, Dylan (Ashley) Kvasnicka, Crystal, MN and Lauren Kvasnicka, Minneapolis, MN, a sister-in-law, Edna Lowe, Olathe, KS and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband of 70+ years. Bob, her parents, Richard and Ida (Dux) Hagedorn, sisters, Nelda (Carl) Hoffmann, Marie (Frank) Meier, Louise (Hugh) Howard and a brother, Clarence (Anola) Hagedorn.

The family graciously asks that memorial donations, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the United Church of Christ, P.E.O. International Foundation or the Clark County Humane Society.