- Date Of Death: March 9, 2014
- State: Illinois
Lorraine S. (Wargo) Olivero, of Peru, a beloved mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 9, 2014, surrounded by her family.
Lorraine was born in Ransom to Michael John and Susan (Chayko) Wargo. She grew up in Streator, Illinois, graduating from Streator High School and then from Century College in Chicago as a Medical Technologist. She married John Olivero on October 9, 1954, and they had nine beautiful children. Lorraine worked as a Medical Technologist in several hospitals, including Saint Elizabeth Hospital in Chicago and Saint Mary’s Hospital in Streator. She was in charge of the lab at Ottawa General Hospital from 1953 to 1955, and then worked at People’s Hospital in Peru until her second child was born.
Always a devoted mother, she then focused her attention on raising her nine children. In 1978, she went back to work part-time at the Community Hospital of Ottawa and continued to work there until 1990. Lorraine was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Peru, and was involved in several organizations including the Illinois Valley Women’s Club where she founded and was President of the Potpourri Department. She was also an active member of the Illinois Valley Zonta Club, the Illinois Valley Business and Professional Women’s Club, the Illinois Valley Medical Professional’s Club, and the Saint Joseph’s Altar and Rosary Society. She loved serving in these groups and especially enjoyed spending time with the many friends she met there. Family was the foundation of Lorraine’s life, and her proudest achievement was raising her nine wonderful children.
Her unconditional love for her children and her dedication to her family were clearly seen in everything she did. She always placed the needs of her children above her own. She was genuinely warm and compassionate, and her radiant smile was a joy to see. Her intelligence and remarkable memory were admired by those closest to her, and she always gave the best advice to everyone when they needed it. Lorraine cherished family vacations throughout the United States and Europe. She loved to follow current events and was an avid sports fan. Lorraine always kept her sense of humor and love of life which endeared her to everyone who knew her. She was dearly loved and will be greatly missed.
She will always be remembered by the many family members and friends whose lives she touched. Lorraine is survived by eight of her children, John Paul Olivero of Peru, Lisa Olivero of Ladd, Laurie (Steve) Landsman of Willowbrook, Mark (Laura) Olivero of Fort Wayne, IN, Linda Olivero of Springfield, Tom (Wendy) Olivero of Utica, Lucia Olivero of Chicago and Luke (Jeanna) Olivero of La Salle; her son-in law, Eric Elder of Chenoa; fifteen adored grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Lorraine was preceded in death by her loving husband, John; her beautiful daughter, Lana Elder; her parents; her brother, John Wargo and her sister, Donna Holthe. Pallbearers will be John Paul Olivero, Mark Olivero, Tom Olivero, Luke Olivero, Lucas Elder, Steve Landsman, Jared Landsman and Michael Wargo.
