Lois D. McDowell, 93, of Allison, passed away Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at the Rehabilitation Center of Allison. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, August 5, 2024, at St. James Lutheran Church in Allison with Pastor Rebecca Baird officiating. Lois will be laid to rest at the Allison Cemetery. Woodley Funeral Home of Allison is caring for Lois and her family.
Lois Darlene (DeBower) McDowell was born on August 4, 1930, the daughter of Paul DeBower Jr and Mary (Rodenbeck) DeBower at their family farm northwest of Allison. She lived on the farm until 1948 when the family moved to Allison, to the home she has lived in all of her life.
Lois was baptized, confirmed and a life-time member of St. James Lutheran Church in Allison. She graduated from Allison High School class of 1948. Lois received her teaching degree from Iowa State Teacher’s College (UNI) and was a teacher by profession and also taught in Butler County rural schools, sub-teaching and tutoring for many years.
On May 10, 1953, Lois was united in marriage to C. William McDowell at the St. James Lutheran Church in Allison, Iowa. Lois and Bill lived in San Antonio for two years while he was in the Air Force. They moved to Hampton and then to Allison in 1956 where they remained. Lois and Bill had three children, William, Deborah and Carol. Bill passed away in October of 1980.
Lois was very active with her church and her community. She taught bible school, Sunday school and was involved with Mary Circle, Garden Club, American Legion Auxiliary, American Cancer Society, Scholarship Committee, Wilder Park board and a Trees Forever cub scout and girl scout leader.
Lois loved gardening, needle point, crafting and making Christmas ornaments. She always had Christmas stockings hung up. She enjoyed making mints and candies for weddings and graduations. Most of all, Lois enjoyed visiting with her neighbors, (she was a talker) sharing stories about her family, especially her two grandchildren. Lois travelled often and even visited a pen-pal in New Zealand.
Lois is survived by her children, William Paul (Lori) McDowell of Coralville, Iowa, Deborah Kay McDowell of Iowa City, Iowa, Carol Marie Smith of Hudson, Wisconsin; grandchildren, Morgan Lois McDowell and Cody William Smith; a sister, Janice Grapp; brothers in-law, Raymond Grapp and Vernon Leerhoff; eight nieces and two nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; sister, Joyce Leerhoff; son in-law, Dan Smith; sister in-law, Mable Neal and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
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