Lois Wiedenmann

Lois A. Wiedenmann, 95, of Waukon died Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at her daughter’s home in Waukon. Funeral services were held Saturday, March 31 at First Presbyterian Church in Waukon with Pastor Grant Vander Velden and Pastor Paul Burgess officiating. Burial was at Mt. Hope Cemetery in rural Dorchester.

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 of Waukon High School, then took secretarial courses at Waukon Junior College and Western Wisconsin Technical School in 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!” January 30, 1943, she married Neal in Santa Ana, CA and as they began their family, they 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 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; 12 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; her husband, Neal; three brothers: Delbert, Loren and Dean Bulman; and two sisters-in-law, Shirley and Eloise Bulman.

Casketbearers were Lois’ grandchildren. Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.