Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Memorial services for Lois “Loiy” F. Ihnen were held Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at the First Lutheran Church in Milford. Pastor Brian Jack officiated. Interment was at Lone Tree Cemetery near Everly. Warner Funeral Home assisted with the arrangements.
Lois ‘Loiy’ Faye Ihnen was born Nov. 23, 1939 in Sibley, to Vernon and Erma Ihnen. She attended 12 years of school in Everly, graduating in 1957. After earning her Bachelor of Arts from Westmar College, she taught elementary school in the Sioux Valley, Ocheyedan and Spirit Lake schools, retiring in 1998 after teaching 38 years. She was a member of Hope Lutheran Church in Everly and taught Sunday school for 18 years. She became a member of First Lutheran Church in Milford in 1990.
During her youth, Loiy loved being with friends and going to concerts at the Roof Garden and going to the roller rink. She would often take nephews and nieces to the races at Jackson, Minn. Playing cards with the Gano family and spending time with the McKeens were also favorite pastimes.
For many years, Loiy worked at the Pioneer Theatre in Milford, which was owned by longtime friend Roger Blunt. She was co-owner with Peg Fliss of the Learning Locker in Spirit Lake and she also joined Mary Kay Cosmetics in 1987.
After retirement, Loiy enjoyed volunteer work at Lakes Regional Hospital, being on the board of Friends of the Library in Spirit Lake, crocheting (at least one afghan for all nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews), Red Hats and Federated Women’s activities, playing cards and especially spending time with “wonderful” nieces and nephews. Lois moved back to Everly in December, 2003.
She loved her Class of ’57 reunions and never missed an Ihnen reunion or a gathering of retired teachers. Loiy travelled to Alaska, Germany, Nashville, Montana, Arizona and the New England states with her favorite tour group guides, Sherri or Vi, Peg, Shirley, Marge and family members. She loved scrapbooking, baking cookies and making fritters, playing bingo, gardening and watching Twins baseball games.
Loiy is survived by her sister, Marlis Tesch, and family friend, Vi Ihnen; eight nieces and nephews: Pat Thomsen (Terry), Mike Fell, Sandy Langner (Dale), Craig Tesch, Cindy Sonius (Jim), Carrie Tesch and Beth Conroy, Sharon Mitchell (Jim) and Teresa Kiewiet (Travis); 19 great-nieces and nephews; and 25 great-greats with three expecting.
She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Vernon (Pete) and Erma; sister, Bonnie Ihnen Fell; nephew, Mark Fell; brothers-in-law: Robert Tesch and Merlyn Fell; and friend, Roger Blunt.
