Lorraine A. Hightshoe Knighton

Lorraine A. Hightshoe Knighton, 79, of Bemidji, Minnesota, passed away on June 6, 2026 at her son’s home in Hildebran, North Carolina, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

She was born on January 9, 1947, to Charles and Bertha Affeild Hightshoe at the Old Lutheran Hospital in Bemidji, Minnesota.

Lorraine grew up on the family farm in Nebish, where her loving parents taught her the true meaning of life’s treasures. She cherished helping her mother prepare large family meals and enjoyed opportunities to drive the family tractor and accompany her father as he sold livestock. Life on the farm gave her a deep sense of pride, and she treasured the memories she shared with her eight brothers and sisters throughout her life.

Lorraine attended Pleasant Valley School, where she was lovingly taught by Mrs. Thompson, who inspired in her a love of learning and academics. She especially excelled in home economics, where she developed skills in baking, cooking specialty dishes, and sewing. Mrs. Thompson later helped Lorraine sew her wedding dress. As young girls, Lorraine and her sister Evelyn would ride their bicycles to piano lessons given by their neighbor. Her love of music stayed with her throughout her life, and she faithfully served as the pianist at her church for many years while also giving piano lessons to her nieces.

Lorraine was raised in the close-knit congregation of Pleasant Valley Lutheran Church, where her love for God began. Later, she accepted Christ as her Savior and faithfully served the Lord for the remainder of her life.

After graduating from Blackduck High School, Lorraine attended and worked at Bemidji State University, where she met the love of her life, Drew Knighton.

Following Drew’s service in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War, the young couple traveled and lived in several places throughout the United States, eager to experience all that life had to offer. Eventually, they returned to Drew’s hometown of Marion, North Carolina, where they welcomed their son, Charles Andrew Knighton, and later their daughter, Loriann Hazel Knighton.

North Carolina became a very special place to Lorraine. Following the passing of her beloved husband, she remained a devoted and faithful widow for the next 52 years, honoring his memory with steadfast love and dedication.

Lorraine was a loving and nurturing mother who passed on many of her passions to her children, but above all, she shared her deep love for God and her desire to help others. Throughout her life, she faithfully served her church in numerous capacities and often provided transportation for those who needed a ride to church.

Lorraine was a charter member and lifelong member of Faith Baptist Church in Bemidji, Minnesota, and an honorary member of Corinth Reformed Church in Hickory, North Carolina.

One of Lorraine’s greatest gifts was her ability to love family and friends unconditionally. She often credited two very special aunts for helping shape that quality in her life: her mother’s only sister, Alfreda LaDoux, and her father’s youngest sister, Faye Monson both who lived to be over 100 years old. Their examples of kindness, compassion, and devotion left a lasting impact on Lorraine, which she carried with her and shared generously with others throughout her life.

Those left to cherish Lorraine’s memory include her son, Charles Andrew Knighton of Hildebran, NC; her daughter, Loriann Hazel Knighton of Morganton, NC; her faithful sisters-in-law, Barbara Knighton Rector of Morganton, NC and Karen Verke-Hightshoe of Bemidji, MN; sisters, Evelyn Hightshoe Walters of Bemidji, MN, Dorothy Hightshoe Molash of Gaylord, MN, and Betty Hightshoe Winger of Nebish, MN; brothers, Jerald Hightshoe and Carl Hightshoe, both on the Family Hightshoe Farm in Nebish, MN; nieces and nephews, Danette (Dave) Hemp of Bemidji, MN, Eldy (Tom) Lazaroff of Canton, OH, Terese (Henry) Kahlstorf of Laporte, MN, Lori (Duane) Westcott of Ada, MN, David (Lynn) Knighton of Swannanoa, NC, Brenda (Mike) Knighton Hayes of Marion, NC, Regina (Jim) Knighton Elliott of Camp Creek, WV, Danny (Sherry) Rector of Morganton, NC, Terry Rector of Morganton, NC, Billy (Anita) Rector of Morganton, NC, Bruce (Kim) Knighton of Marion, NC, Kristina (Chris) Myett of Belgrade, MT, Lea Hightshoe of Helena, MT, Bertha (Sheldon) Langager of Owatonna, MN, Michelle Hurley of Bemidji, MN, Lisa (Jacob) Mellema of Bemidji, MN, Shane (Tessa) Molash of Gaylord, MN, Tommy (Amy) Molash of Willmar, MN, Brandy (David) Kassa of Puposky, MN, Chenoa Robnik of Coon Rapids, MN, Sarah (Troy) Gillman of Nebish, MN, Jason (Erin) Sisson of Carrington, ND, Susan (Jason) Luggar of Leonard, MN, and Quedith Mullin of Nebish, MN.

Lorraine also leaves behind her life-long friends, Sharon Beighley of Bemidji, MN, Nancy E Olson of Laporte, MN, Myrneth E Halverson of Laporte, MN, Sharon Halverson of Bemidji, MN, Barb (Richard) Lindquist of Bemidji, MN, Audrey Lussier of Bemidji, MN, Becky Bastien of Bemidji, MN, Loretta Hefner of Conover, NC, Joann (Roy) Vance of Newland, NC, Hazel (WJ) Davis of Morganton, NC, Deborah Manis of Nebo, NC, and Judy (Jim) Lowmaster of Bemidji, MN.

Lorraine is preceded in death by her husband, Drew Miles Knighton (1974); and her three brothers, Bernard Charles (2016), Walter George (2019), and Floyd Lee (2001).

A funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, June 11, 2026, at the Chapel of Beam Funeral Service in Marion. Reverend Tim Smith and Chaplain Steven Morgan will officiate. Lorraine will be laid to rest next to her husband at McDowell Memorial Park.

Flowers are welcome and appreciated.