Lorraine A. Audenaert

 Lorraine A. Audenaert, 86, of South Bend, Indiana passed away peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at her residence in Southfield Village.  Lorraine was born on July 4, 1939, in South Bend, Indiana to Stanley V. and Theresa M. (Prentkowski) Grayzck. She attended South Bend Central High School, graduating in 1957.  At St Partick’s Church on November 18, 1961, she married her lifelong love and best friend Ronald “Pete” Audenaert who preceded her in death on June 25, 2009. She was also preceded in death by her sister Dolores (Duane) Kelver.  Lorraine is survived by her sister Christine Dye of Cedar City, Utah; her daughter Cheryl Helton of Noblesville, Indiana; her son Kenneth Audenaert of Indianapolis, Indiana; four grandchildren, Justin (Julie) Audenaert, Nicholas (Isabel) Audenaert, Molly (Alex) Spriggs and Maxwell (Lauren Mosley) Helton; five great-grandchildren, Finnan Spriggs, Kaladin Spriggs, Benjamin Audenaert, Rae Audenaert and Theodora Helton.  Lorraine was also blessed with several nieces and nephews but was exceptionally close with her niece Ann Marie Sommers and her children Lisa (Chris) Nier and Jonathon (Andi) Sommers and their children Olivia, Robbie and Maggie Nier and Michael Sommers.  Prior to retirement, Lorraine held roles in administration and bookkeeping notedly at Dainty Maid Bake Shop in South Bend.  In the mid 1980’s Lorraine and Ron relocated to Rutherford, North Carolina where she took a role at Liberty Press.  Throughout their 48-year marriage Lorraine and Ron loved spending time together and had a fun and active social life enjoying bowling, golf, card games, beach trips, cruises and of course ND football!  They were lifelong season ticket holders traveling long weekends from North Carolina, never missing a home game and the fun of tailgating with “the gang”, close friends that were like family.  After retirement Lorraine and Ron returned to South Bend to spend more time with family and friends.  In later years, Lorraine moved into Assisted Living at Southfield Village where she enjoyed a carefree life making new memories and wonderful new friends, especially Izzy Stickley.  Lorraine was very proud of her family and loved when she got to spend time with them.  Her smile and cheerful greetings will truly be missed.  Lorraine’s family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Southfield Village for the exceptional care throughout her years there but especially as her health waned in recent months.  A visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Thursday at Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend, Indiana, where a rosary will be prayed at 4:00 p.m.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Friday, May 29, 2026, at St. Casimir Church,1302 W Dunham St, South Bend, Indiana.  Entombment will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. Lorraine was a member of St. Casimir Parish and Altar Rosary Society. Memorial Contributions should be made to St. Casimir Church.

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