Wahls, Lois L. (Koopman) 1932-2002

KRAMBEER, KOOPMAN, WAHLS, COOK, KOCH, HANSON

Posted By: Mary Durr (email)
Date: 5/10/2007 at 10:34:54

Lois Lorene Koopman Wahls

Lois Lorene Koopman Wahls died Friday, November 22, 2002 unexpectedly at University of Iowa Health Care Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City.

She was born on the family farm at Luana, Iowa on December 21, 1932 to Gerhard H. and Ellen (Krambeer) Koopman. She attended Grand Meadow Country School. She was baptized and confirmed at the Postville Presbyterian Church and graduated with honors as salutorian from the Postville High School. Following graduation, she moved to Elkader, Iowa working as a telephone operator.

In Elkader she met John Charles Wahls, Jr. and married him December 1, 1951. They moved to a farm west of Elkader where both she and John operated the farm together. With John she had four children: Richard Lee Wahls, Denis Dean Wahls, Terry Lynn Wahls and Mary Ellen Wahls. In addition to caring for her family and working for the family farm, Lois contributed actively to her community and her church. She volunteered in Little League, 4-H Girls and 4-H Boys Clubs, the Elkader Public Library, Farm Bureau Women's Organization and the Osborne Nature Center. She taught Sunday school at Peace United Church of Christ; she was a leader in 4-H, a secretary for the Whistling Bit Saddle Club and an organizer for her local neighborhood-stitching group. She volunteered at the Library of Northwest Elementary School in St. Petersburg, Florida and also with Footlighters in Iowa City, Iowa, a children's drama club.

She also worked as an assistant to the Librarian at the Elkader Public Library. Following the death of her husband John, she often spent time with her children and grandchildren. After her husband's death, she continued to operate the farm with her children, planting the farm back to hardwood trees.

She is survived by three children: Richard (Maxine) Wahls of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Denis (Colleen) Wahls of St. Petersburg, Florida and Terry (Jackie Reger) Wahls of Iowa City; her grandchildren; Nathan Wahls of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Naomi Wahls of Parker, Colorado, Brittany Wahls of St. Petersburg, Florida and Zacharia "Zach" Wahls and Zebedia "Zebby" Wahls both of Iowa City; three brothers; Louis "Bud" (Laura) Koopman, Arvin (Judy) Koopman and James Koopman and three sisters: Geraldine "Gerry" (Melvin) Cook, Dixie (Ed) Koch and Cora Hanson. Predeceasing her are her husband, John Charles Wahls, Jr., her daughter, Mary Ellen Wahls , her parents, and her brother, Dean Donavan Koopman.

Postville Herald-Leader newspaper clipping from my mother's obituary collection. Submitter has no further information.