IONIA — Lois Irene Zobel, 89, of Ionia, died Saturday, September 19, 2026, at Hillcrest Homes in Sumner, closing a life filled with family, hard work, country living and countless adventures with her husband of nearly 70 years.
In keeping with Lois’ wishes, she will be cremated and no formal services will be held at this time. Her family plans to gather privately at a later date.
Lois was born December 12, 1936, in Nashua, the daughter of Clark and Mildred (Johnson) Wait. She grew up in the Nashua area and graduated from Nashua High School in 1954.
On February 23, 1957, she married James “Jim” Zobel at the Nashua Methodist Church. Together they welcomed three daughters and began building a life that would eventually include nearly five decades on an acreage near Bassett.
Lois spent many years working as assistant manager of the Kmart store in Charles City, a job that became an important part of her working life.
Away from work, Lois and Jim were happiest enjoying the outdoors and seeing where the road might take them.
For the past 47 years, their acreage near Bassett served as home base. There was always yard work to be done, but when the chores were finished, the couple enjoyed slipping away to go trout fishing, camping or exploring different parts of the country.
Sometimes those journeys were made by car. Other times, Lois and Jim climbed aboard a motorcycle and headed down the highway together.
Those simple pleasures — a fishing trip, a campsite, a stretch of open road or another day at their country home — became the fabric of a long life shared side by side.
Lois is survived by her husband, Jim; daughters Teresa (Roger) Zobel-Shaffer and Julie (Cary) Lehman; and grandchildren Clarissa (Adam) DeShaw, Megan (Michael) Olson, Caitlin Lehman, Brodie (Kylea) Shaffer and Cole (Kacie Erwin) Lehman.
She is also survived by six great-grandchildren, Edward DeShaw, Adeline DeShaw, Harper Lehman, Teddy Olson, Max Olson and Maisie Shaffer.
Her surviving siblings include Sharon (Richard) Pahnisch, Leon (Sherry) Wait and Linda (Gale) Richards. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Beverly (Ron) Hoffman.
Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in New Hampton has been entrusted with arrangements.
To read Lois’ full obituary and share a memory with her family, please click here.
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