Obituary: Lorraine "Lola" Hilda McKibbon

Lorraine “Lola” Hilda McKibbon was born on September 27, 1930, to John and Fannie (Carlson) Sunnarborg in Cloquet, Minnesota. Lola grew up on a farm in Esko along with her 11 siblings. She graduated from Esko High School in 1948. Following graduation, she worked at the Esko Creamery. She was united in marriage to Ernest McKibbon in 1950 at the Apostolic Lutheran Church in Esko. Together they were blessed with two children, Darrell, and Keith, and she stayed home to raise them. Lola and Ernest were married for 55 years until his passing in 2005. Lola enjoyed snowmobiling, camping, cooking (her specialty was mojakka), and hunting at the shack in Barnum, Minnesota. She also loved trout fishing and would travel to Canada to catch fish. She especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Lola was the sweetest woman and will be missed for her loving personality and great memory. Lola passed away peacefully with her family by her side telling stories on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, at Essentia Health – St. Mary’s Campus in Duluth, Minnesota.

Lola is survived by her children, Darrell (Laura Moore) McKibbon of Cottage Grove, Minnesota, and Keith (Laurie) McKibbon of Esko; grandchildren, Derek (Lara Hamsher) McKibbon, Ashley (Jake) Winchell, Ryan (Kelly) McKibbon, and Blair (Shae) McKibbon; great grandchildren, Braydon, Ava, Cierah, Brooklyn, Tennley, Zalia, Zuri, Noah, Briggs, Jude, and Quinn; sister-in-law, Claudia Sunnarborg; and many nieces, nephews, and other family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest; her parents; and her siblings, Clarence, Mildred, Fred, Johnny, Gladys, Lloyd, Alice, Martin, Doris, Kenneth, and Betsy.

A visitation for Lola will be on Saturday, October 28, 2023, at 10 a.m. until the time of her memorial service at 11 a.m. at the Apostolic Lutheran Church in Esko, Minnesota. A luncheon will follow her service at the church. Inurnment will be in the Apostolic Lutheran Church Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to Nelson Funeral Care of Cloquet.