Lorraine (Biddy) J. Seim

Lorraine (Biddy) Seim, age 92, passed away on Wednesday, April 15, 2020 at Essentia/St. Mary’s Hospital in Detroit Lakes after a very brief illness. 

Biddy was born in Detroit Lakes, the third child of ten children to Leonard and Anna Kertscher.  She graduated from Detroit Lakes High School and a year later married Elmer J. Seim. They lived and raised their family in the Shoreham area.

Biddy was first and foremost a “Mom” to her children, a wife, a grandmother, an artist and a gardener.  She operated Seim’s Vegetable Market for 20 years – a process that began by starting seeds in flats in her living room in the Spring and continued through Fall with selling pumpkins and canning the last of the tomatoes.   She was an excellent baker (especially bread and cinnamon rolls), canner and cook.  But she is best remembered for her lefse – rolling and grilling hundreds of sheets at a time, preparing for holidays and extended family meals.  Biddy was recently featured in a book published on the art and history of lefse making.

At age 50, Biddy’s artistic talents emerged and she started painting landscapes and then award-winning works through the art of rosemaling.  She embraced Elmer’s Norwegian heritage – joining the Sons of Norway and performing with the dance troupe.  She especially enjoyed celebrating with family and friends, playing cards and games with grandchildren and organizing large family reunions.

Biddy was a member of Augustana Lutheran Church for 70 years.  She enjoyed the many friendships and companionship the church activities provided.

Biddy was preceded in death by her husband of almost 71 years, Elmer Seim; an infant son; her parents; three brothers and one sister.  She is survived by her eleven children and their spouses:  LeRoy, Bruce and Julia (Dee), Thomas and Ann, all of Detroit Lakes, Claire (Connie) Welander of Portland, OR, Steven and Mary of Wheatland, WY, Janelle and Daryl Thompson of Elk River, MN, Dennis and Becky of Schererville, IN, Howard and Sher of Rochester, MN, Julie and Mark Ladeen of Ramsey, MN, Kenneth of Detroit Lakes and Gerry and Sue of Thief River Falls, MN.  Biddy also has 29 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren, with another on the way.  She is survived by two sisters:  Fern Kane and Elly Livingood, three brothers:  Lester, Leonard and Allen Kertscher (Valerie); sisters-in-law, Darlene Kertscher and Alfryda Livingood, and many nieces and nephews who enjoyed Biddy’s hospitality and conversations. 

A Celebration of Life for this wonderful, strong, courageous and accepting woman will be scheduled at a later date.  Biddy’s children especially thank their brother Ken for the years of devotion and loving care he provided to their parents and to sister-in-law Dee for all the wonderful attention and medical support she provided to both Mom and Dad as well.