Lorraine Johnson entered this world on August 26, 1922 into the stark reality of Watertown, South Dakota, where she lived in a farm house pictured on the right for 20 years. She didn't have an indoor bathroom, running water, or electricity; in the winters she would wrap newspaper and cloth around flat irons from the fireplace to warm up her sheets. Life was hard, and Lorraine worked very hard, milking cows, tending to the turkeys and chickens, pumping water, and helping her mom out with the cooking and cleaning.
	Lorraine's family, pictured from left to right, consisted of her mom, Laura, sister Mary (who died at age 5), Lillian, Lorraine, her father George, and Warren. Much later, when Lorraine was 18, her parents had another child, Robert. With her family, Lorraine survived the Depression, wearing bloomers made out of old flour sacks, and wearing used coats sent from her aunts, who ran a boarding house in California. Lorraine walked 3 miles to school everyday, rain or snow, kept up with all her of chores, and through it all developed a courage of spirit that would later sustain her in many challenging situations. She was truly being prepared for a higher life.
Lorraine's brother, Warren, pictured here with Lorraine (right) was born only 11 months before Lorraine. Warren grew up and became a missionary to Africa for over 30 years. He and Lorraine have always remained close, in spite of living in different parts of the world for most of their adult lives. Lorraine's sister Lillian (center) was plagued from an early age with sugar diabetes, an illness that finally took her life at the young age of 39. Lorraine made many sacrifices as a young girl so that her sister could have the medical treatment that she needed, and, as a result, an unbreakable bond was forged between the two. Lorraine still misses her dear sister, and longs for the day when the two will meet again.
	At the left is a picture of Lorraine, her mom, and Lillian, when Lorraine was around 15. Lorraine's mom, Laura, was a very loving and deeply spiritual woman. She loved all of her children dearly, and worked hard raising turkeys so that the family could buy a camera. She is the reason these pictures of Lorraine's early years exist.
The picture at the right is of Lorraine and Lillian at the junior-senior prom. Since there was no money to buy dresses, Lorraine saved up money by skipping lunch so that she could buy her own dress, the very first long dress that she had ever owned.
	Lorraine graduated from Waubay High School in 1939. She was voted "most dependable" by her senior class.