Lois Sitzer

Lois Winnifred (Wilson) Sitzer was born on Feb. 12, 1924 to Herbert and Agnes Wilson on the family farm near Ardoch, ND. She was the 5th of 7 children. Lois grew up on the farm and attended a one-room school completing the 10 grades that were offered in Ardoch at that time. Lois would help with the gardening and care of farm animals as the family raised most of their own food. She even learned to drive a tractor during World War II when help was in short supply. Lois married Arnold H. Sitzer on January 21, 1947. They made their home in Minto, ND. Lois and "Arnie" had two children, Yvonne and Ronald. Yvonne passed away on June 13, 2003. Lois and Arnold were co-owners of Sitzer Chevrolet, S.O.S. Café, and S.O.S. Laundromat with Arnold's twin brother Allan and his wife Ruth. Lois worked at the café and also as a substitute school bus driver for many years. Arnold passed away on March 18, 1975. Later in life, she worked in the kitchen at the Minto School. In 1989, Lois moved to Grand Forks and was employed by her daughter and son-in-law at the Happy Host Inn right up until May 22, 2013. She was always proud to tell anyone she met that she was still working. Lois loved to sing and dance. As a young lady, she won several blue ribbons for her solos at the county music competitions. She taught herself to play the piano, accordion, and guitar. Lois and Arnie were avid square dancers and were members of several square dance clubs around North Dakota. In 1965, Arnold was the State Square Dancing President with Lois right by his side. Lois enjoyed trapshooting with Arnie and was known to knock down a few ducks and geese in her day. Lois was a long-time member of Knox Presbyterian Church in Minto. After moving to Grand Forks, she transferred membership to Mendenhall Presbyterian Church, East Grand Forks, MN Lois is survived by her son Ronald (Diane) Sitzer of Fargo, son-in-law Rick (Janet) Schreier of Grand Forks. Grandchildren: Stacy (Kerry) Bender, Minneapolis; Marc (Julie) Schreier, Grand Forks; A.J. (Chelsie), Fargo; Johanna (Nicholas) Ibarra, Fargo. Great-Grandchildren: Elizabeth & Josiah Bender, Minneapolis, and Anthony & Justin Schreier, Grand Forks. Lois was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter, brothers Woodrow, Henry, and Lyle Wilson and sisters Viva Irwin, Marietta Skibley, and Phyllis Dokken. Funeral Service will be held Saturday, May 25, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. in Mendenhall Presbyterian Church, East Grand Forks. Visitation will be held Friday, May 24, 2013 from 5-7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. in Amundson Funeral Home.