1923
Lois
2014
Lois A. Avery
April 2, 1923 — October 19, 2014
Lois Ardith Avery, 91, died peacefully in her home on Sunday, October 19th. She was born on April 2, 1923, in Holt (Marshall County), MN, to William and Christine (Anton) Mehrkens. Lois attended St. John's Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, where she was confirmed in 1937. She attended school near Thief River Falls, where she completed her elementary studies and one year of high school.
Lois worked on her family's farm until moving to the Red Wing area at age 18. Her first job away from the farm was as a housekeeper. Subsequently, she held jobs at Red Wing Shoe Company, Montgomery Ward, Clayton's Pharmacy, Gambles, Red Wing Pottery Sales, and her last and longest-term job was with J.C. Penney, where she worked until retiring in 1996.
Lois married Ernest Diercks on April 12, 1944, but their marriage was cut short when Ernie was killed in Germany, on November 23, 1944, while serving our country during World War II. Lois married William (Doc) Avery on February 14, 1947. Their marriage ended nearly 43 years later when Doc died on February 10, 1990. Lois and Ernie had one child together, Erna; Lois and Doc had five children together; Dale, Joan, Kevin, Brent, and Todd.
Lois was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Red Wing, where she served on the Ladies Guild. Lois was blessed to be able to and enjoyed traveling the world in her retirement. She also enjoyed sewing, bowling, gardening, taking pictures, the activities of the Lois Club, and spending time with her family. She especially found joy in being near her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Lois is survived by her children, Erna Rose of Fort Worth, Texas; Dale (Nancy) of Spokane, Washington; Joan (Matthew) Majovski of Red Wing; Kevin (Dori) Avery of Welch; Todd (Nora) Avery of Red Wing; daughter-in-law Barbara Avery of Red Wing; sisters, Sammy Albers of Goodhue; Carol Anderson of Goodhue; brother, William Mehrkens of Thief River Falls; 15 grandchildren, 7 step-grandchildren; 18 great-great-grandchildren; 6 step-great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Ernest Diercks, and William Avery; sisters, Emma Diercks, Luella Peterson, and Verla Hauschildt; son, Brent; son-in-law, James Rose; and daughter-in-law, Diane Avery.
Funeral service will be 11 a.m., Thursday, October 23, 2014 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Red Wing with pastor Todd Engel officiating. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m., Wednesday October 22, 2014 at the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel and one hour prior to the service at church. Burial will be at St. John's in Goodhue. Memorials are preferred to St. John's Lutheran Church. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com
602 Plum Street P.O. Box 111
Red Wing, MN 55066
423 East Ave
Red Wing, MN
423 East Ave
Red Wing, MN
Lois worked on her family's farm until moving to the Red Wing area at age 18. Her first job away from the farm was as a housekeeper. Subsequently, she held jobs at Red Wing Shoe Company, Montgomery Ward, Clayton's Pharmacy, Gambles, Red Wing Pottery Sales, and her last and longest-term job was with J.C. Penney, where she worked until retiring in 1996.
Lois married Ernest Diercks on April 12, 1944, but their marriage was cut short when Ernie was killed in Germany, on November 23, 1944, while serving our country during World War II. Lois married William (Doc) Avery on February 14, 1947. Their marriage ended nearly 43 years later when Doc died on February 10, 1990. Lois and Ernie had one child together, Erna; Lois and Doc had five children together; Dale, Joan, Kevin, Brent, and Todd.
Lois was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Red Wing, where she served on the Ladies Guild. Lois was blessed to be able to and enjoyed traveling the world in her retirement. She also enjoyed sewing, bowling, gardening, taking pictures, the activities of the Lois Club, and spending time with her family. She especially found joy in being near her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Lois is survived by her children, Erna Rose of Fort Worth, Texas; Dale (Nancy) of Spokane, Washington; Joan (Matthew) Majovski of Red Wing; Kevin (Dori) Avery of Welch; Todd (Nora) Avery of Red Wing; daughter-in-law Barbara Avery of Red Wing; sisters, Sammy Albers of Goodhue; Carol Anderson of Goodhue; brother, William Mehrkens of Thief River Falls; 15 grandchildren, 7 step-grandchildren; 18 great-great-grandchildren; 6 step-great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Ernest Diercks, and William Avery; sisters, Emma Diercks, Luella Peterson, and Verla Hauschildt; son, Brent; son-in-law, James Rose; and daughter-in-law, Diane Avery.
Funeral service will be 11 a.m., Thursday, October 23, 2014 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Red Wing with pastor Todd Engel officiating. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m., Wednesday October 22, 2014 at the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel and one hour prior to the service at church. Burial will be at St. John's in Goodhue. Memorials are preferred to St. John's Lutheran Church. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com
Visitation
OCT 22. 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM (CDT)
Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel602 Plum Street P.O. Box 111
Red Wing, MN 55066
Visitation
OCT 23. 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (CDT)
St. John's Lutheran Church - Red Wing423 East Ave
Red Wing, MN
Service
OCT 23. 11:00 AM (CDT)
St. John's Lutheran Church - Red Wing423 East Ave
Red Wing, MN
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