Lois E. Deets

On Nov. 1, 2021, Lois Edith Deets slipped away peacefully in her favorite recliner in Pleasant Prairie, WI. There was no particular cause of death other that she was simply worn out after 92 years of joyful, satisfied living. She was born on June 14, 1929 in Chicago, IL to Edward and Martha Schultz (nee Hitzeman). Martha was a member of Grace Lutheran Church and enrolled Lois in the church’s grade school. After high school, Lois was courted by a Grace classmate and married William “Bill” Deets in 1950 in Chicago. Lois and Bill started their family shortly after that 1950 wedding and by 1956, they had five daughters. Lois was a dedicated mother first and foremost. She treasured her girls and spent her days teaching them to do traditional things like baking, gardening, home decorating and sewing clothes for themselves and their Barbies. But she also taught them how to properly throw a baseball and that girls can do just about anything they want. Leaving Chicago in 1954, they moved to Mundelein, IL. As devout Lutherans, Bill and Lois joined St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Hawthorn Woods, where they sent the girls to grade school and Lois taught Sunday School for 33 years. Lois teased that God was talking to her in Matthew 28:20 “Lo, I am with you always.” But she truly did believe that Jesus loved her and her family and all people! Singing “Jesus Loves Me” with her little Sunday schoolers gave her immense joy. Surprising everyone in 1992 (after the girls left home and began raising families of their own) Lois and Bill moved to Rhinelander, WI, where they bought a resort and named it Five Sisters. Lois wanted a place where their kids and grandkids would be attracted to swim, fish and Play together. Lois’s plan worked. For many years, the July 4th week drew the whole family to the Rhinelander cabins. Connections and memories were made by everyone while Lois taught all the grandkids how to receive and deliver bear hugs! Together, Lois and Bill created a large, loving, close-knit family until she, with grace, saw Bill received by the arms of God in 2018. Lois is survived by her children: Janis (Dave) Nowak; Joyce (Brian) Abernathy ; Joanne (Mike) D’Alton; Judith (Jim) Fulghum and Jacquelyn (Mike) Weaver. She was the loving and devoted grandmother of: Kyle (Abby) Abernathy, Will (Amelia) Abernathy, Kelli (Dave) LaForge, Joshua (Lena) Peterson, Natilee Frigge, Sara Fulghum, Dan (Kristine) Weaver, Beth (Ricardo) Alvarez, and Jill Weaver, plus ten adorable great grandchildren and twins on the way. She leaves behind her in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and family too numerous to list but not forgotten. All of these, she loved and touched deeply. Lois is reunited by her loving husband Bill, her parents, Edward and Martha Schultz and her brother Marvin. The family’s celebration of Lois’s life and interment will be private with Burnett-Dane Funeral Home assisting. Memorials may be donated to St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Hawthorn Woods. Info: 847-362-3009 or please sign the guest book or leave a message at www.burnettdane.com.

Lois E. Deets

June 14, 1929 - November 1, 2021