CLEAR LAKE — Lois R. Kotz, 97, a former Clear Lake mayor whose devotion to her church and community spanned decades, died Friday, August 21, 2026, at Oakwood Care Center in Clear Lake.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 29, at St. John Lutheran Church, 2404 260th Street, east of Garner. The Rev. Mark Lund will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Visitation is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, August 28, at Cataldo Funeral Chapel, 160 East Fourth Street in Garner. Visitation will resume one hour before Saturday’s service at the church.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Lutheran Family Service in Fort Dodge.
Lois Ruth Boehnke was born February 27, 1929, to Theodore and Marie Hinrichs Boehnke on the family farm northwest of Ventura. Her connection to St. John Lutheran Church began during childhood, when she was baptized and confirmed there. She remained a member of the congregation throughout her life.
After attending St. John Parochial School, Lois graduated from Ventura High School. She played basketball, was selected as the school’s Basketball Pep Queen and represented her hometown as Miss Ventura during the Mason City Band Festival.
Lois married Edward Kotz Sr. in 1947. The couple farmed near Garner before purchasing The Barrel Drive In in Clear Lake in 1959.
Her dedication to public service led her to serve two terms on the Clear Lake City Council and two terms as mayor. She also volunteered with numerous community organizations, including Mercy Hospital Volunteers and the Cerro Gordo County Republicans.
Faith was central to Lois’s life. She held numerous leadership positions within organizations affiliated with the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, serving at the local, district, state and international levels.
Lois is survived by her son, Edward Jr. and his wife, Kandi, of Custer, South Dakota; her daughter, Tracie Dean and her husband, Dale, of Flippin, Arkansas; five grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She also considered Lowell Washburn of Clear Lake a second son in recognition of the care and assistance he and his wife, Carol, provided through the years.
Lois was preceded in death by her parents; her former husband, Edward Kotz Sr.; two infant sons; her sister, Violet Kelck; and her brother, Gordon Boehnke.
CATALDO FUNERAL HOME is handling arrangements. To read more and see the full obituary, please click here.
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