Lois Rohde, 87

Lois Lorraine (Temple) Rohde, 87, Alexandria, passed away on January 10, 2012, from complications of pneumonia. She was a loving lady who lived life to the fullest and was adored by countless friends and family.

Lois was born in rural Polk County, Iowa, outside Des Moines, on May 21, 1924, the sixth child of Carl and Winifred Temple. She graduated from Johnston High School in 1943 and went on to Drake University where she majored in primary education and was a member of the Chi Omega Sorority. Her first job was teaching kindergarten in Marshalltown, Iowa in 1946-47 where Fred J. Rohde met and courted her, and they were married in 1947. According to Superintendent Bill Shirley, she was the first ever to be employed without teaching experience.

As they moved around Iowa, Lois taught kindergarten in Nevada, Green Mountain and Ames. After moving to Minnesota in 1965, while living in White Bear Lake, she was active in her church’s ministry with House by the Side of the Road, and then later in Thief River Falls she was active with the Hmong and Laotian community and teaching at the Discovery Place. In 1989 she and Fred built their retirement lake house in Alexandria, where she spent the remainder of her years. The house was often filled with family, laughter, card playing and full bedrooms, which brought her the greatest joy. She loved having her family, especially the grandchildren, around her.

She and Fred were active members of Calvary Lutheran Church. In addition, even after living in Alexandria for 22 years, Lois was still very active in the Newcomers Group.

Unfortunately the past 13 years were filled with health issues. Lois was in and out of Douglas County Hospital and Bethany Community with broken bones, crushed vertebrae, and polymyalgia some 21 times. The people who treated her during these times were fantastic in their help and concern about her welfare.

Lois was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Melvin; sisters, Ethel, Dorothy and Geneva; her twin brother Lowell; her daughter, Peggy Marie; grandson, Chad Rohde; and great-grandson, Skyler Rohde.

Her survivors include husband, Fred; sister, Evelyn Carlson from Ankeny, Iowa; niece, Char Niederhauser from Sun City, Arizona; sons, Fritz from Wilmington, North Carolina and Stephen (Pam) from St. Paul, daughter, Kelley Lerud (Scott) from Waubun, grandchildren, Bill Ellis (Dar) from Whiting, Iowa, Jenny Kaltenbach (Kelley) from Wilmington, North Carolina, David Walker from Sterling, Illinois, Cameron Kunesh (Mark) from Warren, Maine, Carlos Rohde from St. Paul, Nate Rohde from St. Paul, Josh Lerud (Ashley) from Mahnomen, Nick Lerud, Sam Lerud and Natalie Lerud, all from Waubun; and 11 great-grandchildren, Jordan Ellis, Tyler Rohde, John and Paige Walker, Mark, Hallie, Emma and Julia Kunesh, Emelia Kaltenbach, Alexis and Peyton Lerud.

A funeral service was held Saturday, January 14 at Calvary Lutheran Church with the Rev. Mark Astrup officiating. Kim Byrne provided the music.

A second service was held Monday, January 16 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Marshalltown. Interment was at Riverside Cemetery in Marshalltown.

Arrangements are with Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria; www.andersonfuneral.net.

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