Lois Ann Grueneich

Sadly, our beloved Lois Ann Grueneich, 92, Eden Prairie, Minn., passed away, Friday, Dec. 13, 2024.

Lois was born Oct. 27, 1932, to Hugh “Toots” and Nettie “Red” Nairne, in Deloraine, Manitoba, Canada.

After graduating from high school, she went on to earn her nursing degree.

Lois found her way to Ashley, N.D., and was hired as the head nurse for the Ashley Medical Center. Ashley not only provided her first nursing career opportunity, but as fate had it, she met our dad, Leo. They met on a blind date and he “knew she was the one,” marrying in 1958, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

Work opportunity for our dad brought them to St. Paul, Minn., and several years later, they settled in La Crescent, Minn., going on to have three children, in a home they built themselves, with help from Leo’s dad. Hard work led to early retirements and they moved to Holcombe, to a beautiful lake cabin they built together and were there for many years.

Lois was a big personality in a small package. She had an impact on each person she interacted with. She was courageous, creative, inspirational, kind, loving, funny, full of joy and a ball of fire, who showed us what can be accomplished with determination and persistence.

She lived her life to the fullest. Lois spent her free time pursuing many hobbies, including quilting, needlework, temari balls, painting, stained glass, construction, basket weaving and LEGO.

Lois was always ready for a game of cribbage and a sharing of stories. Her greatest joys and accomplishments, were the love of her husband and the gift of being a mom, grandmother and great-grandmother.

She is survived by her sister – Jamie; daughters – Paula (Brad) and Shelly (Jim); son – Jay; grandchildren – Jason, Cameron (Holly), Andy, Emily (Grant); great-grandchildren – Lucia, Ellis, Quinn, Olivia, Mason and Shae; and a brokenhearted, supportive group of relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by husband – Leo; father – Hugh; mother – Nettie; sister – Lorraine; and brothers – Cameron and Jack.

Services will be held Saturday, Jan. 11, at 1 p.m., at Flagstone Care Center-Chapel in Eden Prairie, Minn.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Holcombe United Methodist Church.