Lois Mae Vlasin
Posted By Ballard Sunder Funeral Home On December 23, 2017 @ 3:10 pm In 2017,Obituaries | 11 Comments
Lois Mae Vlasin, age 90 of Prior Lake, formerly of Glyndon, entered eternal life on Saturday, December 23, 2017. A time of gathering will be held from 10-11AM on Friday, December 29, 2017 at New Perspectives Senior Living, 4685 Park Nicollet Ave. SE, Prior Lake. The visitation will continue at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church, 3611 North Berens Rd. NW, Prior Lake, from 1-2PM with a service at 2PM. Lois will be laid to rest with her husband at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
In Osakis, MN, on September 11, 1927, Lois Mae McPeek was born. The oldest of six children to parents Hannah and Lawrence Holte. Growing up during the Great Depression, Lois faced the hardships of poverty. She temporarily left school to help her mother raise her siblings and work. Living during hard times instilled Lois with a hardworking, persistent attitude. She was frugal, always reused, she was a recycler long before recycling was in fashion.
Upon returning to school, Lois excelled academically. She sang in the choir, played the clarinet in band, and enjoyed art classes. Lois always had an artistic flair—she could paint, draw, and sew. Following her high school graduation, Lois traveled to California with her sister Phyllis. After a year of living in a rented garage and tiring of the California lifestyle, Lois returned to Minnesota.
This began a new chapter in Lois’ life. As a switchboard operator, she not only connected callers to friends, family, and businesses, but Lois connected calls to her future husband, Merwin Vlasin. As an employee of the railroad, Merwin often took transferred calls from Lois.
Eventually pleasant banter led to a date. Wary of dating a man Lois had only talked to, Lois’ sister met Merwin on her behalf. Learning he was of good character, Lois and Merwin courted before exchanging wedding vows July 30, 1949 at the Osakis Lutheran Church. Having little money, their wedding was simple—Lois even borrowed a wedding dress for the day.
Merwin’s job took the family across the Midwest. They lived various places before settling in Glyndon, MN. Never idle, Lois worked in the school’s kitchen for nearly three decades before retiring in 2002 at age 75. She enjoyed working at school as it meant time off during the summer and holidays to be with her family. With her family, Lois took countless camping trips and grew a large flower and vegetable garden. She enjoyed canning, baking and most of all spending time with her family. In her later years, Lois regularly attended WE Fest and Star Trek Conventions with her children. She was an avid Sci-Fi and country music fan!
Lois had an open-door policy at her home. Not only were friends and family always welcome, Lois hosted numerous foreign exchange students. Lois’ generosity went beyond hosting students as her home served as a community storm shelter during harsh winter storms.
Lois truly believed in helping her community, yet made the decision to move from Glyndon to Prior Lake in 2011. She was excited to be closer to her children, grandchildren, and siblings. Lois found a new close-knit community at New Perspectives of Prior Lake. She loved participating in bingo, daily exercise classes, and sewing for her neighbors.
Lois’ legacy of generosity and selflessness will live on in her children, John (Carmen) Vlasin, Kathy Messerschmidt, Eric (Beth) Vlasin, Chris (Dawn) Vlasin; 10 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; brother, Larry (Loretta) McPeek; sisters, Maxine Obitz, Jan Potthoff; brother-in-law, Jack Potthoff.
Lois is greeted in heaven by her husband, Merwin; parents; sister, Phylis Bilbo; brother, Roy McPeek; brother-in-law, Richard Obitz.
The Vlasin family extends their gratitude and appreciation to St. Croix Hospice for the attentive and extraordinary care provided to Lois. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to be distributed in Lois’ memory.
Arrangements with Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, Prior Lake.
Offer Condolence for the family of Lois Mae Vlasin
Print Obituary & Condolences Condolences for the family of “Lois Mae Vlasin”
Eric, Beth and family,
We are so sorry for your loss. No matter how or what the circumstances are, they are still our parents and leave a void. We will hold you in our thoughts and prayers.
Pat and Mary Jo Remick
Eric, Beth and families,
I am sorry for the loss of Lois. She was such a kind and caring lady. I have wonderful memories of her visits to Prior Lake. God be with you all during this time. My thoughts and prayers for you.
So very sorry for your loss. I have a lot of good memories of Lois.
Eric and family,
I am sorry to hear of the loss of your mother and offer my condolences and prayers to your family.
This is Louis house keeper Grahm Dixon from new perspective senior living , I want to send it prayer the all of Louis family sorry of your loss I really loved getting to know Louis she always had a great smile and always was willing to put others first before herself and like to make sure everybody was happy I know right now she is smiling looking down from heaven and not suffering anymore with lung cancer Lois you will be missed by me and I know by your family miss you lots !
I really appreciated all the good memories and wisdom from Lois, God Bless everyone as you go through this difficult time. I thought of her often over the years.
I met your mom at what was then Keystone Senior Living. I am going to miss her quick wit and slap. It seemed every time I saw her we would get into some fun loving humor and it alway had that slap in it. She was so fun to be around and she loved to talk about her family. I will miss her but am happy she is free of illness and united with those she loved who when before her. I can see her and our friend Mary Annn messing around in heaven.
My prayers are with her family as they carry on without her!
To the Family of Lois Vlasin,
So very sorry for your loss. She was a great person to know. I worked at the Glyndon Schools
while Lois worked there….I have a lot of memories of the us ‘oldies’ who worked at that
school. I also remember her children from those school days. My thoughts and prayers
are with you. My deepest sympathy, Liz (Varriano) Walker
So sorry to her of Lois’s passing,I was a cook about 3 years ago at Keystone,and always enjoyed talking with her,she was such a nice lady!! She was one person I really missed not seeing when I took another job-prayers and peace to her family!
Eric and family,
Please accept our deepest condolences for the loss of your beloved family member. Lois sounds like she was an incredible woman. I’m sure she will be greatly missed.
Click here to print.
Article printed from Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation: https://www.ballardsunderfuneral.com
URL to article: https://www.ballardsunderfuneral.com/lois-mae-vlasin/
Click here to print.
Copyright © 2015 Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation. All rights reserved.
John, Kathy, Eric, Chris, and Families,
Bruce & I are saddened by the loss of Lois. We are fortunate to have so many wonderful memories. Camping with the Vlasin’s (She was the best teacher!), coffee, dessert, and conversation around their dining room table are at the top of the list. Hugs to your family. She was one special lady!
-Bruce & Deb