Lois Swenson, 87, long-time resident of Sheyenne, North Dakota, died at the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd in New Rockford on November 10, 2015. Lois Elaine Germundson was born on August 12, 1928, near Pillsbury, North Dakota, to Obert and Alma (Scharske) Germundson. The family moved to a farm near Hope, North Dakota, which for many years thereafter was a gathering place for the extended Germundson family. After attending school in Hope and working to save money for hairdressing school, Lois struck out on her own to Fargo and graduated from the New York School of Hair Design. She then ventured to Devils Lake, where she worked as a beautician, lived in a boarding house with other working females, and enjoyed socializing and keeping up with the latest fashion. It was there that Lois met her future husband, Mayo Swenson, and they were married in Grace Lutheran Church, Sheyenne, on October 9, 1948. They were partners in this life for almost 60 years until his death in 2008.

Lois and Mayo raised six children on the family farm until moving in to Sheyenne, where Lois took care of numerous teachers’ children and was known as “Grandma Lois” to many special young people. Lois worked as a bookkeeper at the Farmer’s Union Oil Station; she also continued her licensure as a hairdresser and for many years counted among her regular clients numerous friends and neighbors. Her commitment to her own regular hair appointments was legendary, and she was fortunate to have had devoted hairdressers in both Sheyenne and New Rockford.

Lois was a devoted member of Grace Lutheran Church, serving with the Lydia Guild, Altar Guild, and Lutheran Church Women (LCW) groups. She was a long-time member of the Rocks ‘n Rills Homemakers Club; a leader of the Luketa 4-H Club; and as active members of the Sheyenne Senior Center, both she and Mayo assisted many of the elderly in Sheyenne. Lois was also devoted to Sheyenne School functions and organizations during and after seeing her own children through the system. In her later years, she enjoyed making lefse and would give demonstrations to Home Economics classes at the school. In true Midwestern fashion, she was a strong supporter of church, school, and community.

Lois enjoyed making quilts, especially her treasured “jean quilts,” which she lovingly sewed for her grandchildren. Having grown up during the Depression as the oldest of ten surviving siblings, and having raised six children on the farm under somewhat challenging conditions, she was hard-working, resourceful, diligent, strong in resolve, and tender at the core.

Lois is survived by her children, Dean (Sandy), Battle Lake, Minnesota; Gail (Allan) Weisenburger, New Rockford; Ione Swenson, Williamsburg, Virginia; Neal (Liz), Sheyenne; Nyla (Charlie) Davie, Big Sky, Montana; and Owen (Janet), Hallock, Minnesota; grandchildren, Erik, Kale, and Luke (Kristin) Swenson; Tashia (Fred) Weisenburger Pomroy; Reed (Jenna) Weisenburger; Connor Joseph; Emily (Jared) Deckert; Evan Swenson; Zachary and Jordan Davie; and Bryden and Jadyn Swenson; and great-grandchildren, Kinsey and Chase Swenson; Sophie, Kendal, and Sydney Swenson; Brody and Kaci Weisenburger; Noah Deckert; and Willa Pomroy.

Lois is also survived by three brothers, Jack (Joyce) Germundson, Luverne, ND; Warren (Geraldine) Germundson, Minot; Maynard (Karen) Germundson, Wahpeton; and two sisters, Carol (Anthony) Berger, Rosemount, MN; Corrine Berg, New York Mills, MN; and one sister-in-law, Alvina Germundson, McVille. 

PRAYER SERVICE:

Sunday (Nov. 15th) at 8PM in Evans Funeral Home, New Rockford

FUNERAL SERVICE:

Grace Lutheran Church, Sheyenne, ND

DATE AND TIME:

Monday, November 16, 2015 at 10:30AM

BURIAL:

Riverside Cemetery, Sheyenne