The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
By: Grace Lessen, The Quill
Lorraine Hagmeier
Lorraine (Argenbright) Hagmeier was born in Macomb and raised on a farm that included the Blandinsville airport.
Her father was Myron Argenbright - who worked in farming (south east of Blandinsville), then Yetter Mfg. in Colchester before moving to Indiana after her parents divorced.
Her Mother was Dorothy (DeBold) Argenbright, sister to Robert DeBold.
Lorraine has one sister, Barbara (the late Sterling Adams) of Blandinsville and two brothers, Terry (Chris) and Mark (Angie) of Blandinsville.
She attended Willow Grove country school, Blandinsville Grade School, and graduated Northwestern High School in Sciota.
She married Larry Hagmeier (deceased 25 years ago) whom she met in Fort Madison, IA when she worked at Sheaffer Pen Co.. Larry worked as a guard at the Iowa State Penitentiary.
Lorraine quit her job after the birth of their first child Richard (wife -Tonia). She and Larry had 2 more children, Cynthia, and Michael (wife - Samantha).
Lorraine has two grandsons: Michael II, (Wife Lita) and Deon (Halie), step granddaughter Deonna Sheets (Shaun), two great-grandsons: Benjamin and Jackson and three step granddaughters: Aubry, Ariel and Aria Sheets
Lorraine joined the workforce again once her children were in school providing child care in her home for teachers.
After Lorraine's husband Larry passed away, she worked at Jacks in Fort Madison, IA for 17 years -retiring as a shift supervisor and Hardlines supervisor.
Lorraine is a member of the First Christian Church of Blandinsville. As well as, Order of the Eastern Star in Macomb, and in Burlington, IA.
Last year as a committee chair for Eastern Star in Iowa, Lorraine made and donated 165 "Fidget" lap quilts for Alzheimer patients in nursing homes. The project was to continue until the pandemic occurred and suddenly her efforts turned to the great need for cloth masks. Lorraine's first masks went to Heartland in Macomb where her daughter works. Around this time, Lorraine's brother Mark commented that they looked easy to sew and he began sewing as well. As of today, "The Blandinsville Sweatshop" as Lorraine says, has donated 2,463 masks to 7 nursing homes, 2 churches, 4 doctors offices, 1 pharmacy, and many friends and family.