Lorraine Mary Drew

Lorraine Mary Drew (Schenk)

Cardinals, camping, friends, family

Super Powers – listening, friendship

After only one week into her 94th year, on May 14, 2025, Lorraine Mary Drew (Schenk) passed away at home. She is resting in Jesus and has the hope that with the return of her Lord and Savior, she will be resurrected to a reunion with her husband of 63 years – Howard Drew and her eldest son – Gary Drew; both of which preceded her in death.

Born 5/2/1932, in Heineman, Wisconsin to Alfred and Bernice Schenk; Lorraine was the oldest of three children (Guy Schenk – 2 years younger and Cecelia Olson (Schenk) – 8 years younger). She left Wisconsin to attend Emanuel Missionary College (now Andrews University) in Berrien Springs, Michigan and completed training there in 1952. After working in South Bend, Indiana and various other places, she returned to Gleason, Wisconsin and married Howard Drew on June 26, 1955.

Lorraine and Howard moved to Berrien Springs in 1963 and remained there until each of their deaths. They had chosen Berrien Springs for the educational opportunities of their growing family. All three of their children - Gary (1960 – 2011), Karen (1962 - ) and Kevin (1964 - ) - attended Andrews University schools for elementary, Andrews Academy and Andrews University fulfilling Lorraine’s vision.

Lorraine’s organizational skills were put to work with her secretarial jobs, and she was known to be honest, dependable, precise and reliable. She stopped working outside her home to raise her children. The Drew family loved to camp with friends, travel all over the United States and much of the world, and Lorraine collected cardinals of all sorts. Once it became known that Lorraine loved cardinals; many of her friends contributed to her collection.

Lorraine made and kept life-long friends – this was her “superpower.” From early in Wisconsin, Wisconsin summer camps, Wisconsin Academy (she had just celebrated her 75th reunion), EMC and throughout life. Letter writing, birthday cards, Christmas letters, hosting at her home, visiting friends in their home’s all across the globe. She was a phenomenal listener and could empathically listen to those she loved for hours.

Lorraine loved her family – her parents Alfred and Bernice long preceded her in death as did her brother Guy. Her “baby” sister Cecelia resides in Redlands, California (with her husband, DuWayne Olson) and they spoke via phone nearly every day. Perhaps the most devastating event in her life was the far to early loss of her eldest son – Gary – to a stroke. Gary’s family lives on with his wife – Sigrid (from Germany) and son – Ethan both living in Berrien Springs.

Lorraine’s daughter Karen Pierson (Drew) lives in Durham, California with her husband David Pierson (longtime Berrien dweller) and their adult children, Janelle, Julie, and Jonathon. Janelle Heisler (Pierson) is married to Stefan Heisler, and they share Lorraine’s oldest great-grandchildren – Owen (6) and Colin (5) and reside in Sacramento, California. Julie Freedman (Pierson) is married to Matthew Freedman, and they share Lorraine’s 3rd and 4th great-grandchildren – Joel (stillborn) and Guinevere (18 months) residing in Mammoth Lakes, California. Jonathon Pierson resides in Ukiah, California.

Lorraine’s youngest son – Kevin lives in Berrien Springs with his wife Arlyn (Kim – Korea) and their six adult children, Alyson Drew of Loma Linda, California, Cassie Probstle (Drew) and husband Max Probstle (Austria) residing in Los Angeles, California, Grant Drew and wife Natalie Drew (Thomas) with Lorraine’s 5th great grandchild – Reuben (8 months) living in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Delilah Drew, Luke Drew, and Zoe Drew all living in Loma Linda, California.

A Celebration Of Life will be held honoring Lorraine 5/25/2025 at her home church of over 60 years at Pioneer Memorial Church on the campus of Andrews University with a visitation from 3-4 pm and the Celebration of Life beginning at 4 pm. Please join her three children’s families, her ten grandchildren, and four of her five great-grandchildren. Maranatha.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Allred Funeral Home in Berrien Springs.