Lorraine June Pockat

Lorraine June Pockat, Dieck (Balke) passed to her eternal home on March 6, 2023. She was born on June 30, 1928 in Sheboygan, WI to Truman and Esther (Rindt) Balke. Her family moved to Shawano where she spent her childhood years living on the Wolf River. Lorraine was confirmed and attended St James Lutheran Church and school before graduating from Shawano High School in 1947. At age 19, she married Howard Daniel Dieck on October 25, 1947. They enjoyed 47 years together before his passing on January 18, 1995.

Lorraine and Howard spent most of their married life in Oshkosh. She was a fantastic cook and baker. Her cookie jar was always filled with delicious morsels enjoyed by her family and every kid in the neighborhood. In addition to being a dedicated home maker, Lorraine was a talented seamstress, an avid painter, and crafter. Our family treasures her paintings and ceramics. She also handcrafted heirloom Santa’s for each of us. Lorraine shared her talents while attending Trinity Lutheran Church where she was active in the choir and Dorcus Circle. While raising her children Lorraine served as a Camp Fire Leader and Cub Scout Den Leader.

In later years, Howard and Lorraine relocated to Marion where she worked for the school system. She enjoyed traveling and dancing the polka with Howard in dance halls and in their living room while watching their favorite television show, Lawrence Welk. They attended St John’s Lutheran church where they enjoyed singing in the choir.

After Howard’s passing, Lorraine married Andrew Pockat on June 6, 1998. The two of them continued to enjoy polka dancing on Sunday afternoons in the Marion area. Upon moving to Appleton, she and Andrew joined Faith Lutheran church, where they hosted Bible Study groups in their home. They continued to dance on Sunday afternoons until he passed away on August 4, 2013. She continued to dance with her walker to TV’s Polka, Polka, Polka on Sunday’s for years.

Lorraine is preceeded in death by her parents, both husbands, sister and brother- in-law, LaVerne and George Trewyn; brother Arthur Balke; brother-in- law Tom St Louis; brother-in-law Robert Wix; brother-in-law Norman Dieck; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Gerald and Dorothy Dieck; sister-in-law and brother-in-law LaVera and Lowell Korb; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Ardys and Armin Schmidt; brother-in-law Jim Watters; granddaughter Sarah Kurzynske.

Lorraine is survived by her children: Kathryn (Robert) Poehlman; Kevin (Mary) Dieck; Patti (Ron) Green; Daniel (Kim) Dieck, 11 grandchildren: Dean (Christine) Benson; Joseph (Sara) Benson; Morey (Melissa) Benson; Wendy (Nathan) Burgers; Max (Lakeesha) Dieck; Marsden (Zach) Vaughan; Mallory (Chris) Korenczuk; Nathan (Jessica) Kurzynske; Jacob Kurzynske; Dawson Dieck; Brielle Dieck; 14 great grandchildren; sister and brother-in-law Delores (Tom) Duffek; sister-in-law Sherri Balke; brother and sister-in-law William (Cynthia) Balke; sister Carol St Louis-Herb; sister Barbara Wix; sister-in-law Margaret Dieck; sister-in-law Shirley Watters, and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Patti Green, for her loving and unselfish care; Lois Borchardt for her weekly supportive calls; Pastor Jim Wiebel, Faith Lutheran Church, Appleton; Eagle Point and Eagle Court Assisted Living/Memory Care; Theda Hospice Care and Wichmann-Fargo Funeral Home for their support. In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to the Faith Lutheran Church Radio Program faithfully listened to by Lorraine in her last years. Celebration of life service will be held April 15, 2023 at Faith Lutheran Church, 601 E Glendale Ave, Appleton, WI 54911. Visitation from 10AM until the time of service at 11AM. Burial will take place in the afternoon at the Greenleaf Cemetery in Marion, WI.