Obituary of Loraine Eve Fessenden

Loraine Eve Fessenden, age 76, of Vancouver, Washington, passed away on December 14th, 2020, at PeaceHealth Medical Center. Although Loraine faced health challenges in recent months, her passing was unexpected. Her heart fluttered to a stop and efforts to revive her by ER staff during her momentary hospital visit were not successful. According to her wishes, she passed quickly into the presence of her heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ, in whom she placed all her hope. A Funeral service will not be held, but loved ones are encouraged to share a memory of Loraine at this website: https://cascadiacremation.com/tribute/details/2687/Lorraine-Fessenden/obituary.html#tribute-start A plot holding Loraine’s remains in anticipation of resurrection day is located at Park Hill Cemetery in Vancouver. Loraine was born in Los Angeles, CA to Lewis and Mildred Reimer on January 15th, 1944. Some of her younger years were spent on a homestead in rural Northern California. She attended Tulelake High School and graduated in 1961. She went on to earn a license from Good Samaritan Hospital School of Nursing in Portland, Oregon in 1965, and in later years she added a Bachelor’s Degree from Concordia University to her resume. She applied her gifts in nursing, administration, and leadership in several nursing jobs, including Charge Nurse, Night Shift Supervisor, IV Therapy Nurse, Home Health Nurse, Case Manager, and Medical Underwriter. She was uniquely skilled in the delicate and challenging task of finding a patient’s vein and getting an IV started with a minimum amount of discomfort. Her nursing career helped lead her to her husband of 54 years, Denys Fessenden. Loraine was working at Good Samaritan hospital in 1965 when Denys came to visit an ill friend. After having initially met at Judson Baptist College, this hospital connection moved them to begin dating. Seeing each other wasn’t easy, as Loraine worked nights, and Denys attended seminary and drove trucks during the day. Love found a way though, and they often had a midnight picnic at Laurelhurst Park, after Loraine’s shift ended. Loraine and Denys’s faith in the Lord was the foundation for their commitment, and He blessed their marriage and provided for every need along the way. Together, they served in church and college ministry, at places like Gateway, Hinson, and New Heights churches, and Multnomah Bible College. Serving as a Group Leader in a Bible Study was a highlight for Loraine in later years, as she poured her heart and soul into studying God’s word, encouraging her group members, and preparing for twice-a-week meetings. She chose to lay up her treasure in heaven. Loraine and Denys had two children, Bruce and Diane, whom they raised for most of the family years in a little house in Parkrose. Vacations to Mount Rainier, Lincoln City and visits to Klamath Falls/Tulelake to see family were precious to them all. Loraine and Denys worked hard together and gave sacrificially so their children could attend a Christian high school and private Christian universities. Loraine took joy in giving. She was attentive to the needs of those she encountered and found creative and timely ways to encourage them. Even strangers at a busy Costco often found themselves invited to share a table with her for good conversation. She envisioned and labored over quilts and clothes which she then shared with her loved ones. Loraine loved a project. Whether it was landscaping, remodeling, sleuthing genealogies, or planning a trip to Israel, she was skilled in researching all the details and preparing so that the end result was well done. She usually thought of everything, and made sure you did too along the way. Loraine was a disciple of Jesus, taking Him up on his gracious offer of perfect righteousness, peace, and joy early in her life. Through a variety of sufferings common to us all, Loraine was transformed more and more into the likeness of Jesus. She learned to give generously of her finances, her time, and her affection, persevering through pain to show grace to family, friends, neighbors, and strangers. Because she loved the Lord, Loraine also loved His Words. Isaiah 41:10 was especially precious and she had a calligraphy page of that verse printed and always visible to her as she sat in her chair: “Don’t be afraid for I am with you. Do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.” Loraine is s survived by her husband Denys, sister Linda Palaske (and husband Doug), brother Bruce Kinrade (and wife Judy), son Bruce (and wife Amy), daughter Diane (and husband Dan), and 5 precious grandchildren, Abigail, Rachel, Elizabeth, Vivian and Gabriel. She has some dear friends who also remain, who are as close as family as well. Memorial donations may be made to a ministry that was precious to Loraine, Wycliffe Bible Translators at https://www.wycliffe.org/projects/give-your-gift-in-honor-or-memory-of-a-loved-one You may enter missionary code 200436RG/Armstrong to direct it to a team that Loraine wished to support. The family thanks you for your compassionate wishes and encourages you to share a story of what Loraine meant to you during your journey.