Obituary of Raymond Joseph Lorrig

Raymond Joseph Lorrig, 90, of Black Forest, Colorado, passed into glory on June 8, 2021, surrounded by his loving family. Already he is greatly missed by friends and family alike.Ray was born on December 6, 1930 in Marion, Wisconsin as the youngest of six children. His father, Mike, passed when he was two-years-old and his mother, Veronica (Grissman), valiantly raised her children as a single mother. Ray recalled that in his boyhood years, his mother raised her children in the Catholic Church and impressed on them the values of scripture as she exemplified caring for the poor, hard work and that marriage is until death do you part. As a child, Ray often assisted his mother in carrying meals to the hobos camping by the railroad tracks. He worked during his school years at the local movie theatre, where the newsreels inspired him to follow world events carefully and be politically active in life. During high school and college, Raymond was treated for tuberculosis on three separate occasions.�He was in and out of a TB sanitarium in Kaukauna, Wisconsin over the course of three years until part of his lung was surgically removed.�During his recovery, Raymond attended Lake Tomahawk State Camp in Northern Wisconsin for those recovering after a bout with TB.�While lesser men may have chosen to despair in the face of tremendous health challenges, he counted it all joy for in�this divinely appointed time, Raymond met the love of his life, Murl Anna Schilcher.�He and Murl were wed in 1956. Raymond graduated from the University of Wisconsin and began his thirty-five year business career at Oscar Mayer, where he rose to be the head of the accounting department at the Oscar Mayer plant in Goodlettsville, Tennessee. Upon his retirement, Ray and Murl relocated to Black Forest, Colorado, which reminded them both so much of the area where they first met in northern Wisconsin. Here he built (with the assistance of Paul Nogle) their dream retirement home, using skills he gleaned from serving with Habitat for Humanity in Mexico. They joyfully opened their home to family and strangers alike in their high altitude garden sanctuary. Throughout the years, special needs children, unwed mothers, and many family and friends found shelter, comfort and encouragement in the Lorrig home.Raymond was a pillar of strength for those around him.�He always had words of wisdom to guide someone on their path and lent a listening ear when someone needed to talk.�He saw the potential in people and believed in them, even when they may not have believed in themselves. Ray was quick to lend a helping hand when someone was down and bold enough to share how proud he was when those he cared about were headed in the right direction. Ray gave generously of his time, energy and resources to help others because he believed in investing in the people and things he viewed as precious.��Raymond is survived by his children,�David (Donna) Lorrig, Katherine (Jeffrey) Smathers, Geralyn (Keith) Steppe, Mary (Allen) Cochran, Anne (Jeffrey) Rutter, Linda (David) Rawle, Victoria DeBellis and Donald England;�his grandchildren,�Jeremiah Lorrig, Merry (Derek) McKee, Nathanael Lorrig, Diana Lorrig, Gabriel Lorrig, Daniel (Jessalyn) Lorrig, SarahRose Lorrig, Katelin (Ben) Lieberman, Emily (Nathan) Lacey, Joel Steppe, Ariana Steppe, Sarah Steppe, Joshua Gilbert, Kayla (John) Longbrake, Briana Rutter, Matthew Rutter, Andrew Rutter, Elena Rawle, Natalie (Stephen) Brown, Elijah Rawle, Marissa DeBellis and Daniel DeBellis;�and great-grandchildren,�Kenley and Cayson McKee, Mikylah and Kayden Lorrig, Hannah, Finn, and Clara Lacey, Bella and Rose Davis, and Paxton Longbrake.��Ray was preceded in death by his �wife, Murl; daughter, Teresa Ann; granddaughter, Victoria England; his parents, Veronica and Mike Lorrig; and his siblings, Ervin Lorrig, Arthur Lorrig, Margaret M. (Lorrig) Kemps, Mary Rose (Rita Lorrig) Petta, and Robert (Bob) Francis Lorrig.Memorial contributions in Raymond's memory may be made to New Life Church, Mary's Home, https://ppay.co/UQxRHvFUX34�or the charity of the giver's choice.�The family recommends that those inspired by Ray's life perpetuate his legacy by following his selfless example of grace and service to all.Memorial Service, 11:00AM, July 26, 2021, New Life Church-World Prayer Center, 11005 Voyager Parkway, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80921. Events Memorial Service Monday, July 26, 2021 11:00AM New Life Church World Prayer Center 11025 Voyager Parkway Colorado Springs, CO 80921