Lois Wiedenmann

Lois A. Wiedenmann, 95, of Waukon, IA, died Tuesday, March 27, 2018, at her daughter's home in Waukon.  Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 31, at 11:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Waukon with Pastor Grant VanderVelden and Pastor Paul Burgess officiating.  Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in rural Dorchester, IA. Friends may call at the church on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until services begin at the church.  Martin Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.

Lois Arlene (Bulman) Wiedenmann was born December 24, 1922, at Rose and Edward Sadler's (her maternal grandparents) home that was located "on the tail of the elephant" in the English Bench area of Union City Township. She was the daughter of Alton John and Helga Mae (Sadler) Bulman. Lois was baptized and confirmed at Mt Hope Presbyterian Church in Dorchester and attended school in English Bench. In 1940, Lois graduated as Valedictorian, Waukon High School, then took secretarial courses at Waukon Junior College and Western Wisconsin Technical School, La Crosse, WI. Neal Louis Wiedenmann and Lois met in high school and in 1942 when Neal was stationed in California, he sent $100 and a telegram to Lois in Waukon saying "Come marry me!" On January 30, 1943, she married Neal in Santa Ana, and as they began their family, lived at many bases throughout the U.S. and Japan.

After 22 years of military service, Neal retired with the family to Waukon in 1964. Lois worked at Luther College in Decorah as both an event planner and secretary to the president of the college. Lois opened her kitchen and home to people from all over the world—exchange students from Luther, student-missionaries and anyone she considered a relative, which was everyone! She established Girl Scouts in Waukon in 1964 with 10 troops and 100 girls.

She retired in 1982 to care for Neal then after his death in 1991, Lois joined Youth With A Mission (YWAM), going to Alaska, Hawaii and Arizona for three to six months each mission. Not one to sit still, she worked part-time when she was in her 80s at the Quillin's Food Ranch bakery in Waukon. Family, church and community were the pillars of Lois' life. She loved cooking and baking, especially anything that was sweet like pies, jelly and grape juice, and made delivers to family and friends.

She loved traveling, getting to six continents in her life. Lois loved literature and poetry, and was a long-time member of the Browning Club. She was also an avid reader of history, politics and religion. Lois belonged to the Mt Hope Presbyterian and First Presbyterian churches and was active in Presbyterian Women. She was an auxiliary member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion, and a member of the Red Hat Society and the Republican Party.

She is survived by her children:  Suzanne Wiedenmann Peterson of Eugene, OR, Kathryn Dee (William) Wiedenmann Campbell of Waukon, Cheri Dawn (Scott) Wiedenmann Francik of Marion, IA, and Carol (David) Wiedenmann Gangi of Fenton, MI; eight grandchildren:  Kari (Michael) Campbell O'Hara, David (Yan) Wiedenmann, Ryan (Kristen) Campbell, Gregg (Lilly) Wiedenmann, Michael (Courtney) Francik, Jeremy (Mary Toenjes) Francik, Stephen (Jenna) Gangi, and Catherine Gangi; twelve great-grandchildren:  Mason, Kylie, Kyra and Kade O'Hara, Ella, Laney and Greta Campbell, Joshua and Taylor Wiedenmann, and Justin, Kyle, and Logan Wiedenmann; a brother Robert (Marilyn) Bulman; two sisters-in-law Grace and Margaret Bulman; and exchange student Nancy Garcia Stone.

Lois was predeceased in death by her parents; husband Neal; three brothers:  Delbert, Loren and Dean Bulman; and two sisters-in-law Shirley and Eloise Bulman.

Casketbearers are Lois' grandchildren.