Lorraine V. Cleven (Bickner) Service Information

Lorraine V. Cleven, of Ivyland, formerly of Sioux Falls,  SD, passed away on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 in Pine Run Health Care in Doylestown. She was born in Kimball, South Dakota, on November 10^th, 1922, to Roman and Mary Bickner. Lorraine was raised on a farm, attended a country grade school, and graduated from Kimball High School. She then attended the University of South Dakota, graduating with a B.S. in Business Administration.

After receiving her college degree, Lorraine taught at Tyndall High School and from there moved to Parkston High School. Lorraine married Leo Dolan in 1947 and the couple both taught in Parkston until their move to Milbank in 1949 where they resided until 1954. While living in Milbank, Lee and Lorraine owned and operated a Dairy Queen and Dolan’s Drive-In.

In 1959, Lorraine returned to teaching at Washington Senior High School in Sioux Falls. Lee passed away in 1961, and Lorraine married Erwin Cleven in 1966. In 1965, she transferred to Lincoln High School where she taught until 1985. While at Lincoln, Lorraine was selected to initiate a new Vocational Secretarial Program where seniors had the opportunity to prepare for initial entry into office occupations as secretaries. She developed the first simulation concept to be used in this type of program. Lorraine was a member of the South Dakota Business Education Association and served as Publicity Editor, Vice President, and Secretary at various times. She also had membership in the South Dakota Education Association and the National Education Association.

After early retirement, Lorraine continued teaching on a part-time basis for the American Banking Institute, Southeast Technical Institute, and as a substitute for the Sioux Falls High Schools. In her spare time, she spent many hours needlepointing for her family, traveled extensively with her husband, worked in her flower and vegetable gardens, and continued her love of reading. Lorraine relocated to Pennsylvania in the fall of 2017 to be closer to family.

Grateful for having shared her life are her son Mike Dolan (wife Denise) of St. Anthony, Minnesota; her daughter Patty Dolan Faix (husband Al) of Ivyland, Pennsylvania; five grandchildren: Stacey Faix Fisher (Jeff), Nick Dolan, Sarah Faix Ernst (R.J.), Chris Faix (Ashley), and Maggie Dolan; and four great-grandchildren: Colin and Justin Fisher and Mackenzie and Avery Ernst. Lorraine was preceded in death by husbands Leo Dolan and Erwin Cleven, and granddaughter Katie Dolan.

 A graveside service in Sioux Falls, SD will be in the summer of 2021. Contributions in Lorraine’s name may be made to the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society, 3720 E. Benson Road, Sioux Falls, SD 57104 or the Make A Wish of South Dakota and Montana, 1400 W. 17^th Street, Sioux Falls, SD 57104.

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