CHURCH, Lois Ann (Milbrandt) 1933-2017

CHURCH, MILBRANDT, PADDOCK

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 5/10/2024 at 10:53:52

April 26, 1933 - December 11, 2017

Lois Ann Church, age 84, of Riceville, Iowa, passed away on December 11, 2017, at Whispering Willows Assisted Living in Fredericksburg, Iowa.

Lois was born on the family farm near McIntire, Iowa, on April 26, 1933, to Roy Mielitz and Helen Virginia (Paddock) Milbrandt. She attended local schools and graduated from McIntire High School. Lois furthered her education, attending Luther College for a year before transferring to the Fairview Nursing Program in St. Paul, Minnesota.

On October 8, 1955, Lois was united in marriage to William Dean Church at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. Bill and Lois farmed in the Riceville, Iowa, area.

Lois was proud to be a licensed RN until her death. She enjoyed learning about health and wellness. She had a passion for watching and participating in sports; playing basketball and softball for McIntire High School. She was named an All-State player in both sports. She also enjoyed listening to the Minnesota Twins and Iowa State Cyclones basketball.

Lois took great pride in her family and she loved getting together for picnics and attending school and 4-H events to encourage her children and grandchildren. She truly loved being outdoors on the farm. Milking cows and driving tractor were always preferred over housework.

Lois worked at the Mitchell County Hospital for 17 years before becoming the first director of nursing at the Riceville Community Rest Home in 1972. She later worked for Howard County Regional Health Services until her retirement in 2006 at age 72. Lois was involved in the Riceville Wa-tan-ye service club and was an active member of the Riceville United Methodist Church, serving in multiple leadership roles.

Lois is survived by her children; Russell and his wife Ann of Hastings, MN, Melvin and his wife Amy of Owatonna, MN, daughters: Brenda Church of Riceville, IA, and Susan and her husband Lonnie Schult of Fredericksburg, IA, and her Japanese exchange daughter, Kaoru Ikeda of Yokohama, Japan, twelve grandchildren: Katie and her husband Ryan Donnelly, Andy Church and his wife Hilary, Becky Church, Laura Church, Hannah Love and her significant other Kasra Shokat, Cameron Schult, Connor Schult, Mariah Schult, Karee Schult, Ava Schult, Veronica Church and Nolan Church. Also surviving are three great- grandchildren: Maddie Donnelly, Luke Donnelly and Felix Church.Lois was preceded in death by her husband Bill in 1996, and her parents.

Memorials are preferred to the Wapsi Great Western Trail.

SOURCE: Lindstrom Funeral Home website
Also see: Mason City Globe Gazette, 13 DEC 2017