Lois Ann Anderson

The world is missing some spunk, now that the effervescent laughter of Lois Ann Anderson ceased forever on Oct. 29, 2026, when Lois passed away at age 102, at The Neighbors of Dunn County, Menomonie, Wisconsin. A woman of unwavering faith and positive attitude, she took Psalm 98:4 "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord..." to heart, just by being herself. And thus, she laughed often and enjoyed life.

Lois was born Oct. 10, 1924, at Grassland Farm (now WalMart Distribution) in Rusk Prairie, in the Dunn County countryside of Menomonie, to Oliver C. Ohnstad and Manila Graham Ohnstad.

Before the family moved from the 400-acre dairy farm in the early 1930s to Menomonie, Lois attended Stout Institute's (now UW-Stout) first nursery school. In the city, Lois attended elementary classes at East School, where seven lifelong friends formed "The Spinach Gang" of which Lois was the last surviving member. She then attended Menomonie High School (MHS), graduating in the class of 1942; and keeping classmates close at heart, she was a reunion chairperson for many years.

From 1942 to 1943, Lois attended her family's alma mater, Ripon College, in Ripon, Wisconsin, which was followed by three years at Columbia Hospital School of Nursing (now Columbia College of Nursing) in Milwaukee where, due to wartime, her education was paid for by the U.S. Government, and she graduated in 1946, becoming a Cadet Registered Nurse. (On her 100% birthday, Lois was awarded an honorary bachelor of arts degree from Ripon College, presented to her in-person by the college president, Dr. Victoria Fols, also a retired R.N.)

Lois's nursing career began at Cook County Hospital in Chicago and Columbia Hospital in Milwaukee. It continued in Menomonie with private duty nursing, hospital floor nursing, school nursing and industrial nursing. The latter is where she met the love of her life.

On Oct. 18, 1947, Lois married Donald A. Anderson at the First Congregational Church in Menomonie. They had two children, Donald A. and Debra Kay Anderson.

Feeling indebted to the government for her career, Lois was intent on "paying it forward." Although she was never called upon to serve as a nurse in the military, because the war ended right when she graduated, she gave back to her community at every chance. She founded and taught the first Volunteens program (similar to Candy Stripers) at MHS; and developed and taught the first in-service education program at Memorial Hospital (now Mayo Clinic Health System-Red Cedar) in Menomonie.

Lois's volunteer endeavors included working at eye-ear clinics and polio immunization clinics, and becoming a designated first responder. Notably, Lois served on the board of directors for the Dunn County Chapter of the American Red Cross for 23 years. She was also a five-gallon blood donor.

Later, Lois had a job providing blood pressure screenings once a month for several years, at Lee's Drug Store in Menomonie. Her community involvement extended to memberships that included 70-plus years in Chapter AN of P.E.O., serving in many capacities for the philanthropic sisterhood that supports women in their quests for education. As a lifelong member of First Congregational. UCC, Lois devoted herself to numerous posts and committees over time. She was also actively involved in elementary school P.T.A.s, and Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts; and became an avid supporter of Mabel Tainter Preservation and Friends of the Library. And she worked at the election polls for several years.

Over her lifetime, Lois enjoyed fishing with her husband; golfing (a passion she continued well into her 80s, despite a fractured elbow she sustained in her 50s that never straightened after surgery); travel, notable favorites were Germany, Hawaii and Alaska; playing bridge; playing the card game "Spite & Malice" with her daughter, a 40-plus year pastime, that culminated with a win on her 102% birthday; reading; attending theater productions; listening to music; baking; and spending time with her family, friends and her animals, including horses, rabbits, dogs and cats.

Lois is survived by her daughter; her grandchildren, Sean Anderson (Amy), and Kaitlin Anderson Daeges (Aaron), all of Minnesota; great-grandchildren, Clara Anderson, Jackson Daeges and Eva Daeges, all of Minnesota; her half-brothers, John and Tod Ohnstad of Delaware and Wisconsin, respectively; two nieces, Joy Nixon of Pennsylvania, and Danielle Shumaker (Tom) of Arizona, and their children and grandchildren. She is further survived by cousins and friends and their families. Lois was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her son; her sister, Carolyn C. Ohnstad; two nephews, Dale Schneck, and Skip (Donald L.) Sanford; her step-mother June Tongen; her step-sister Vicky Burris; as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends and their families.

A private committal service of the cremains will be held at Evergreen Cemetery in Menomonie.

The Cremation Society of Wisconsin is in charge of the arrangements.

Lois's family prefers memorials of the donor's choice.