As received from the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home. If you have questions about, or potential corrections to the content, please contact the funeral home directly.
Of English and Finnish descent, she both read and spoke Finnish and stayed very connected to her Finnish roots. She enjoyed the public saunas regularly in Laurium, MI, as well as having her own sauna to enjoy at her home in Taylor. She had “Sisu” like no other, and nothing could better describe who she was.
Lois loved to sing and sang in the Detroit Parks and Recreation Chorale Group, as well as in her church choir. She spent her adult life as a dedicated member of St. John’s Lutheran Church where she served as Grounds Supervisor, Sunday School Teacher, and an active volunteer at every event. She was a member of the Lutheran Ladies Auxiliary, and in 1997, she was honored as the Lutheran Woman of the Year. Professionally, she worked at Chrysler for over 20 years, served as the Area Representative for the Chrysler Girls’ Club, and enjoyed bowling in the Chrysler Bowlerettes League, and serving as League Secretary and League President. She spent the remainder of her career in the Taylor School District, where she retired in 2000.
Being born on the 4th of July, Lois was a true firecracker and a proud American, serving for many years as a Precinct Delegate and enjoyed being active politically. She celebrated her birthday every year in the place she called home, the Keweenaw Peninsula, where it felt like the whole region knew her and held an annual birthday celebration for days! Her favorite traditions were to begin her day at the Pancake Breakfast at Lake Linden High School at 7:00 a.m., followed by the parade and activities in the park, before hightailing it to Gay, MI, for the incredibly fun Gay Parade and local town festivities. From there, the journey continued to Copper Harbor, often concluding at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge for dinner. When not in Copper Harbor, Lois enjoyed the next round of festivities in Ahmeek, where she had many special birthday dances and often won great prizes in the raffles.
She ran her family ragged annually as everyone worked to ferry her to every event across the Keweenaw over three days of celebrations! To her family and grandkids, it seemed everyone knew her everywhere she went. Extended family and family friends also made the journey up to celebrate with her, leaving her filled with joy and with plenty of homemade birthday cards from her grandkids and their friends. She was even featured in the Lake Linden Parade a few times! No one celebrated their birthday and Independence Day like Lois!
She spent her life and retirement extremely active in her community, building relationships through her involvement. She was a Life Member of Michigan Garden Clubs, Inc., a Life Member of the Eagles Club, a Life Member of the Finnish Center, and a Life Member of the Knights & Ladies of Kaleva, where she served in many leadership roles, most proudly as the Grand Matron (the highest-ranking female executive officer) for several terms, attending and leading meetings in Red Lodge, Montana, as well as locally.
Lois was a natural green thumb who loved planting, harvesting, and canning the many vegetables in her garden and storing them in her root cellar. She loved sharing her bounty with friends and family, often sending friends off with corn and prize zucchinis. She enjoyed harvesting grapes with her husband and making wine. Lois also volunteered with local funeral homes to collect the abundance of flowers, creating new arrangements, and delivering them to hospital and nursing home patients to brighten their day.
She served as a Board Member with the Beautification Council of Southeastern Michigan. Most notably, Lois was a founding member of the Taylor Garden Club, serving and leading the organization for 35 years as President, Vice President, and Rainbow Delivery Chairman. In addition, she was active with Keep Michigan Beautiful. In April 2025, she was honored by the City of Taylor and Mayor Tim Woolley, where she was presented with a Letter of Recognition by the City Clerk, and a sugar maple tree planted in her honor at Taylor Heritage Park in a beautiful dedication ceremony as a lasting tribute to her contributions. She spent many years volunteering at the Festival of Trees benefiting Children’s Hospital of Michigan and representing the Taylor Garden Club.
In 2017, Lois received the President’s Volunteer Service Award from the Corporation for National and Community Service in recognition and appreciation for her commitment to strengthening the nation and communities through volunteer service. She received a letter from the White House as well, signed by President Donald J. Trump.
Some of her most treasured memories include serving as an usher at the Fischer Theater, Fox Theater, and Masonic Temple; spending time on Isle Royale; taking a cruise to Alaska with her family; and the bearskin rug she proudly displayed from her successful bear-hunting trip!
She was truly like no other and will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Lois will be laid to rest by Graveside Service on Friday, October 9, 2026 at 11:00 AM at Lake View Cemetery in Calumet, Michigan.
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