LOIS LAVERE LOUKAITIS ENGLAND

Lois Lavere Loukaitis, was the daughter born to John and Julia Scheeler Loukaitis October 27, 1933 in Exira, Iowa. She was sister to two brothers, Darold and Dale. She grew up in the St. John’s Lutheran church, her faith always being important to her.
Lois attended school in Adair, graduating with the class of 1951. She always enjoyed being able to get back to the area for her class reunions and catching up with former classmates. After graduating, Lois took a job with Banker’s Life in Des Moines.
A mutual friend and matchmaker, Karen Minnick, introduced Lois to Robert England of Tingley, a handsome soldier just out of service in Germany. A pick-up in Des Moines for a basketball game date in Creston was just the beginning. After picking out her wedding ring and Robert picking up the tab (the smart fella he is!), they were married May 4, 1958 in St John’s Lutheran Church in northwest Adair. They made their home near the England family farm in rural Tingley. Thus, began their farm life.
Lois was a tried and true farm wife and homemaker. She worked right along beside Robert, her work ethic second to none. She operated all of the machinery except the combine, working the land and the livestock. She ran the hog confinement operation several years, feeding the stock and caring for the animals. As with all farms, it was never complete without a farm dog. Lois enjoyed her different pet companions along with the farm cats and an occasional goose or two. She was a wonderful cook who enjoyed being able to feed her family and Christmas wasn’t complete without each family getting a Swedish Tea Ring. She was caretaker and mother for their three children; Kent Darold, Todd Robert, and Kimberly Ann. The family grew with the addition of Penny and her family several years later. During the busy planting and harvest seasons, Lois would fill in as substitute bus driver on Robert’s route for the Mount Ayr Community School district. She greeted each rider with a smile, her grandchildren always looked forward to riding Grandpa’s bus to Grandma and Grandpa’s house.
Farm living didn’t make getting away easy, but Grandma enjoyed a long trip to California with Robert and Harold and Barbara Bower. Her favorite trip was the one to Tennessee where she was able to visit Graceland as she was an admirer of Elvis Presley. Locally, she and Robert belonging to a card club with other area couples. They were also known to cut the rug from time to time, dancing at the Chicken Inn in Creston or the American Legion in Mount Ayr.
Lois loved a goodauction, large or small. Her grandkids have fond memories of being loaded in the backseat of the big, green Mercury and going along to hit up a sale. Thankfully the car was big enough to bring the grandkids and her treasures home in one load! Lois also enjoyed collecting coins, establishing herself with a very nice collection. When the state quarters were issued, Lois began the work of obtaining one from all fifty states. Her home was always open to her family, she could be counted on for a smile and laugh, always.
Lois moved to Mount Ayr Health Care Center in August 2017 due to declining health. The staff continued to count on Lois for a smile, many remembering her as their bus driver at one time or another.
Lois passed away November 26, 2018 with her husband Robert at her side. Preceding her in death were her parents; brother, Darold, at age 18, brother, Dale; brother-in-law, Jim England.
Those left with loving and fond memories are her husband, Robert; son, Kent, and wife, Tammy; grandchildren, Jennifer (Tom) DeMott, their children Carter, Kegan, Colt and Lucy; Brett (Jodi) England, their children Jase and Avery; son, Todd, and wife, Julie; grandchildren, Brian (Lauren) England, their children Maddox and Reese; Brad (Alysha) England, their children Aaylah, Addyson, and Maverick; Holly England (fiancée Phillip Curd), their children Isabella, Ezra, and Isaiah; Haylea England; daughter Kim Shields and husband Dave; grandchildren Amber (Brian) Fooken, their children Trey and Kenleigh; Alicia Shields; and April Shields; stepdaughter Penny (Mike) Kenealy with their children Scotlan and Clayton Smith; along with a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends.
Funeral services were held 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 30, 2018 at the Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr, Iowa with Pastor Bill Armstrong and Amber Fooken gave the eulogy.
Songs were “Amazing Grace”, “Take My Hand, Precious Lord” and “Silent Night”.
Casketbearers were Brett England, Brian England, Brad England, Tom DeMott, Brian Fooken, Phillip Curd and Dan Loukaitis.
Honorary casketbearers were Jennifer DeMott, Lauren England, Alicia Shields, Amber Fooken, Jodi England, Alysha England, Holly England, April Shields and Haylea England.
Burial was at the Tingley Cemetery in Tingley, Iowa.
Memorials are established in her name to be decided.