Lois Mae Vlasin, age 90 of Prior Lake, formerly of Glyndon, entered eternal life on Saturday, December 23, 2017. A time of gathering will be held from 10-11AM on Friday, December 29, 2017 at New Perspectives Senior Living, 4685 Park Nicollet Ave. SE, Prior Lake. The visitation will continue at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church, 3611 North Berens Rd. NW, Prior Lake, from 1-2PM with a service at 2PM. Lois will be laid to rest with her husband at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
In Osakis, MN, on September 11, 1927, Lois Mae McPeek was born. The oldest of six children to parents Hannah and Lawrence Holte. Growing up during the Great Depression, Lois faced the hardships of poverty. She temporarily left school to help her mother raise her siblings and work. Living during hard times instilled Lois with a hardworking, persistent attitude. She was frugal, always reused, she was a recycler long before recycling was in fashion.
Upon returning to school, Lois excelled academically. She sang in the choir, played the clarinet in band, and enjoyed art classes. Lois always had an artistic flair—she could paint, draw, and sew. Following her high school graduation, Lois traveled to California with her sister Phyllis. After a year of living in a rented garage and tiring of the California lifestyle, Lois returned to Minnesota.
This began a new chapter in Lois’ life. As a switchboard operator, she not only connected callers to friends, family, and businesses, but Lois connected calls to her future husband, Merwin Vlasin. As an employee of the railroad, Merwin often took transferred calls from Lois.
Eventually pleasant banter led to a date. Wary of dating a man Lois had only talked to, Lois’ sister met Merwin on her behalf. Learning he was of good character, Lois and Merwin courted before exchanging wedding vows July 30, 1949 at the Osakis Lutheran Church. Having little money, their wedding was simple—Lois even borrowed a wedding dress for the day.
Merwin’s job took the family across the Midwest. They lived various places before settling in Glyndon, MN. Never idle, Lois worked in the school’s kitchen for nearly three decades before retiring in 2002 at age 75. She enjoyed working at school as it meant time off during the summer and holidays to be with her family. With her family, Lois took countless camping trips and grew a large flower and vegetable garden. She enjoyed canning, baking and most of all spending time with her family. In her later years, Lois regularly attended WE Fest and Star Trek Conventions with her children. She was an avid Sci-Fi and country music fan!
Lois had an open-door policy at her home. Not only were friends and family always welcome, Lois hosted numerous foreign exchange students. Lois’ generosity went beyond hosting students as her home served as a community storm shelter during harsh winter storms.
Lois truly believed in helping her community, yet made the decision to move from Glyndon to Prior Lake in 2011. She was excited to be closer to her children, grandchildren, and siblings. Lois found a new close-knit community at New Perspectives of Prior Lake. She loved participating in bingo, daily exercise classes, and sewing for her neighbors.
Lois’ legacy of generosity and selflessness will live on in her children, John (Carmen) Vlasin, Kathy Messerschmidt, Eric (Beth) Vlasin, Chris (Dawn) Vlasin; 10 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; brother, Larry (Loretta) McPeek; sisters, Maxine Obitz, Jan Potthoff; brother-in-law, Jack Potthoff.
Lois is greeted in heaven by her husband, Merwin; parents; sister, Phylis Bilbo; brother, Roy McPeek; brother-in-law, Richard Obitz.
The Vlasin family extends their gratitude and appreciation to St. Croix Hospice for the attentive and extraordinary care provided to Lois. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to be distributed in Lois’ memory.
Arrangements with Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, Prior Lake.
