Lois Velma Harmeyer

Lois Velma, daughter of George B. and Leta L. (McCaslin) Egan, was born November 9, 1925 in Lemmon, South Dakota. She moved with her family to Washington state where she graduated from Olympia High School in 1943. While living there she met Harry Harmeyer, who was stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington. They were united in marriage on March 5, 1946 at St. Peter and Paul Church in Carroll. Lois and Harry were parents of ten children and made their home in Carroll. Lois was an awesome mother and homemaker according to her children. Lois was of the generation of the stay-at-home moms, and when the last child entered school, Lois started working for the Carroll Community School District as a teacher's aide. Lois retired after 16 years in conjunction with Harry's retirement following 40 years as a barber. Lois and Harry loved to dance and they could be found at the local ballrooms on most Saturday nights with the polka as one of their favorites. In their retirement, Lois and Harry loved to sing with the RSVP Singers, even singing with the group on Senior's Day at the Iowa State Fair. Lois also played the organ, enjoyed puzzles and all things associated with hot air balloons. Lois and Harry were members of Holy Spirit Parish. After his wife entered St. Anthony Nursing Home, Harry lovingly visited her each day until he passed away in 2012. They were so thankful for the care she received there. Lois was kind, caring, an eternal optimist with a great sense of humor and a blessing to many. She touched the lives of many people with her smile and laughter Lois was a wonderful and loving mother and grandmother and will be dearly missed. The family is very appreciative of the wonderful care Lois received in the Alzheimer Unit at St. Anthony Nursing Home where she died on May 5, 2015, at the age of 89 years, 5 months and 26 days. Preceding Lois in death are her parents; husband; sister Beulah Pitman; brothers Ellis Egan, Dean Egan and Patrick Egan; son-in-law Henderson Gines, Jr. and great-granddaughter Cheyanne Rhodes. She is survived by her ten children: Sheila (Rick) St. Peter of Scranton, Jan Gines of Omaha, NE, Gary (Karen) Harmeyer of Virginia Beach, VA, Judy Brandl of Bellevue, NE, Sharon (Rycke) Fisch of Knoxville, Alan (Jackie) Harmeyer of Des Moines, Steve Harmeyer (Kris Conway) of Seattle, WA, Pat (Dahinda) Harmeyer of Des Moines, Carol (Daniel) Palzewicz of Norwalk and Christine Harmeyer of Tulsa, OK; along with 24 grandchildren; 50 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.