Lois Willette

Lois Mildred Willette, age 93, of Savage, MN, entered eternal life on May 22, 2025, at Savage Senior Living at Fen Point. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at 11 am, with a time of gathering from 9:30-10:45 am, all at St. Michael Catholic Church, 16400 Duluth Avenue SE, Prior Lake, MN. A lunch will be served after Mass in Archangels Hall. Father Tom Walker will preside. Lois will be laid to rest at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, in Minneapolis, MN.

Lois Mildred was born on May 4, 1932, in Minneapolis, MN. She was raised in Minneapolis, MN, by loving parents August “Gus” and Helen (Cisewski) Lindquist. She graduated from Washburn High School in 1950.

Lois had a passion for learning. She pursued her dream of healing the entire world by becoming a nurse, earning her Registered Nurse degree from the College of St Catherine in 1954. She paused her career to focus on being a wife and mother. After 23 years, she resumed nursing at MN Masonic Home. Lois continued her education at Normandale Community College, obtaining an Associates Arts Degree in 1979, and later earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Metropolitan State University in 1993.

Lois cherished her roles as wife and mother. She met a handsome young man, named James Willette at a wedding and were married on September 29, 1956, at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Minneapolis, MN. The Willette’s settled down in Bloomington, MN, where they raised five children, Kevin, Joseph, Lisa, John, and Robert. Lois valued the family deeply, extending her care to her niece Joanne and foster daughter Kathy. As her family grew, Lois proudly became a grandma and great grandma.

Lois relished the time spent with her family, enjoying the cabin on Big Birch Lake near Grey Eagle, MN as well as wintering as snowbirds in Arizona. In 1994, she and Jim moved to the shores of Prior Lake, where lake life continued.

Lois devoted her life to volunteering and serving her faith community. In 1967, she was recognized as the Bloomington Sun-Suburbanite “Woman of the Year” for successfully managing a project that collected clothing, money, soap, and essentials for Go Vap Orphanage in Vietnam – an achievement she held in high regard. Lois committed numerous hours of service as a member of the Stephen Ministry, Shawl Ministry, St. Francis Hospital, and the Franciscan Associates. Additionally, she remained engaged as an alumnus of the various colleges she attended throughout her life.

Lois’ life was filled with compassion and dedication. A nurturing soul, she embraced caregiving not only as a profession but as a lifelong calling. Her warmth extended beyond her immediate family. With an open door and an open heart, Lois created a haven where kindness thrived and selfless acts flourished, leaving a mark on all who were fortunate enough to know her.

Forever loved and forever missed by children, Kevin Willette, Joseph (Sue) Willette, Lisa Willette, John (Diane) Willette, Robert (Laura) Willette; grandchildren, Ben Willette, Kyle (Samantha) Willette, Lucy Willette, Megan Kallberg, Christopher Kallberg, Robert (KD) Willette; great granddaughter, Lydia Willette; special niece, Joanne Willette; foster child, Kathy (Ken) Krupula; other relatives and friends.

Greeting Lois in Heaven is her beloved husband, Jim; infant daughter, Maria Angelique; parents, Gus and Helen Lindquist; and brother, Tom Humphreys.