Traverse City, MI — Lorna Frances Alger, 80, of Traverse City, passed away peacefully at her home on February 23, 2026. A devoted mother, grandmother, caregiver, and lifelong nurturer, Lorna's life was defined by quiet strength, steadfast love, and service to others.

She was born on May 4, 1945, in Traverse City, Michigan, to Roy and Frances Bebee. Lorna grew up in Traverse City, attending a one-room schoolhouse in Garfield Township before graduating from Traverse City High School as a member of the first class to graduate from the newly built high school.

On December 6, 1963, she married the love of her life, Richard Crosby Alger of Massachusetts. The two met while Lorna was receiving nursing training in Chicago. Together they began a life of adventure and deep devotion. They moved to California while Richard served in the United States Navy, where they welcomed their first two children, Rickie and Holly.

After Richard's military service, the family relocated to Massachusetts, where they experienced the heartbreaking loss of their infant son, Rickie, to SIDS. Eventually returning home to Michigan, Lorna and Richard continued to build their family, welcoming daughter Heidi, adopting their son, Nathan, and then having their youngest daughter, Janet. Following the passing of her beloved daughter Heidi, and after being widowed, Lorna once again opened her heart and home, adopting Heidi's children, Alex and Deontae, ensuring they remained surrounded by family and love.

Lorna had a lifelong gift for caring for children. While raising her own, she operated a daycare from her home so she could nurture not only her children but many others in the community. She served as President of the PTA at Sabin Elementary School and, together with Richard, opened their home and farm in Blair Township to foster children in need of respite care. Her home was always full of children, of laughter, and of compassion.

Gardening and farming were among Lorna's greatest joys. Her adoptive father, Albert Rakowski, was the head gardener at the Traverse City State Hospital, and she proudly followed in his footsteps. She spent countless hours tending her gardens and teaching her children and others how to grow and harvest their own food. One of her final wishes was to plant one more garden. Near the end of her life, she remarked that she knew it was time to go because she no longer felt concerned about preparing for spring planting or for politics. Even in her final days, her humor and practicality remained intact.

After her children were grown, Lorna pursued higher education at Ferris State University, earning her bachelor's degree in Sociology. She went on to serve as a social worker for the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians and Catholic Human Services. She was deeply proud of her work, especially in elder care and hospice, where she provided comfort and dignity to those in their final stages of life, the same peace she was granted in her own passing.

Lorna is survived by her daughter, Holly Alger; son Nathan (Amy) Alger; daughter Janet (Josh) Denoyer; son Alex Alger (Anthony); and daughter Drea Alger; five grandchildren, Mikayla Martincek, Keegan Alger, Madeline Alger, Emily Jennings, and Cooper Denoyer; and two great-grandchildren, Malachi Alger and Ciera Woods.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Frances Bebee; her adoptive father, Albert Rakowski; her husband, Richard Alger; her children, Rickie Alger and Heidi Miller; and her brothers Terry Barnes and Roger Rakowski.

A service will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home, 305 Sixth Street, Traverse City, Michigan 49684. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. A luncheon will follow at Central United Methodist Church. A private burial will take place later this spring at Barnum Cemetery in Paradise Township.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Grand Traverse County Commission on Aging or Hospice of Michigan.

Please feel free to share your thoughts and memories with Lorna's family at her tribute page at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .