Lois Eichenberger
February 13, 1925 ~ November 18, 2013
Lois R. Eichenberger age 88 of New Hampton, IA died, peacefully and surrounded by her family, Monday afternoon, November 18, 2013, at Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, November 23, 2013, at Holy Family Parish-St. Mary’s Center, New Hampton with Rev. Mark Osterhaus celebrating the Mass. The pall will be placed by Lois' children. Lector for the service will be Donna Haskins. Presenting the offertory gifts will be Laura Kiesling, Rachel Haskins, Sarah Eichenberger and Melissa Junge.
Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, New Hampton with Lois' seven grandsons as pallbearers, Jeff Babcock, Nathan Haskins, Bryan Eichenberger, Bryce Eichenberger, Philip Eichenberger, Jeremy Mihm and Josh Hissem.
Friends may greet the family 3:00 – 8:00 p.m. Friday, November 22, 2013, at the Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home in New Hampton where there will be a 4:00 p.m. Catholic Daughters of the Americas rosary and a 5:00 p.m. parish scripture service. Visitation continues 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
Lois Rose Eichenberger was born February 13, 1925, in rural Fredericksburg, IA, the daughter of Julius and Louise “Lucy” (Gross) Drewelow. She received her education in the Oak Knoll and Hickory Park Country Schools near Fredericksburg and the Boyd Country School.
Lois was introduced to George Eichenberger on a blind date and on September 14, 1948, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in New Hampton they were united in marriage. To this union seven children were born. George died on February 10, 1962 at the age of 38 and Lois continued to raise her family alone. She maintained her family with jobs at the former Roger’s Famous Foods, doing housekeeping for area families, the former Liddle’s Grocery Store and helping the Earl Drewelow family. Lois also sold Electrolux vacuum cleaners out of her home for many years. Lois loved to garden and raising veggies, resulting in hours spent canning and preserving. She gave embroidered squares in themes as remembrance quilts and gave these as treasured gifts to each of her children and grandchildren.
Lois was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Holy Family Parish - St. Mary's Center, the Rosary Society and the Catholic Daughters of the Americas.
Survivors include two sons, Jerome (Pam) Eichenberger of Ankeny and James (Larae Moss) Eichenberger of Waterloo; five daughters, Judy Babcock of New Hampton, Cecilia Eichenberger of Durham, NC, Madonna Haskins of Dodge City, KS, Darlene (Rick) Hissem of Decatur, TX and Ann (Dean) Ferrie of Chester, IA; eleven grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; one half-brother, Julius “Bud” (Sue) Drewelow of New Hampton; one half-sister, Ethel Clapp of Riceville.
She was preceded in death by her parent; her husband George in 1962; brother, Walter “Dutch” Drewelow; half-brother Stanley Drewelow; one sister, Vera Friedman; one grandson, Mark Babcock; and her son-in-law, Doug Babcock.
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Lois was such a warm and direct person…after I got married to her daughter Cecilia, she welcomed me as part of the family with such natural ease, as if she had known me for many years. I could have not have asked for a better mother in law. Each time I had the opportunity to visit with her I always felt perfectly comfortable and at home, even though I was thousands of miles away from my home. She was part of the generation who survived the Great Depression and from that experience she derived most of her basic values: tenacity, hard, honest work, endurance, courage in the face of overwhelming adversities. She was spunky, she was outspoken, she was endeavoring and she loved her children above all and fought hard and work hard, -for many years – to raise them all with dignity and pride. And did a pretty impressive job at it. The world has lost one of those quintessential ‘salt of the earth’ people in Lois, those quiet, unassuming, seemingly unglamorous people who -nonetheless- are the real backbone of this Nation. I will miss the birthday cards she, faithfully, send me every single year and also our long distance phone calls at Christmas and for her birthday. I will miss this extraordinary woman… Candido Calciolari Durham, North Carolina
Lois was such a warm and friendly and giving lady. She always had a smile and could never have too many people over to visit or for a meal. She loved her family and she loved people. There is no higher praise. She reminds us all that relationships are the most important things in life. She will be missed. We are very sorry for your loss.
That is the Wisconsin Meighan’s.
Judy and family, we are sorry to hear about your Mom. We always enjoyed visiting with her. All of you are in our thoughts and prayers. Dave and Marge Mayo
I wish to express my sympathy to the family and friends of Lois Eichenberger. Gary Hayek (cousin of Dean Ferrie)
My Deepest Sympathy & Prayers to Lois’s family. Had such a nice visit with Lois in October.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Eichenberger family. Stay close and share all those wonderful family memories. So very hard to lose our parents. Deepest sympathy, David and Terry Utterback
Beautiful in Blue was purchased for the family of Lois R. Eichenberger.
Simply Elegant Spathiphyllum was purchased for the family of Lois R. Eichenberger.
Beautiful in Blue was purchased for the family of Lois R. Eichenberger.
Scott & Kala Bogner and the Kitchens employees purchased the Teleflora’s Fall Fantasia for the family of Lois R. Eichenberger.
So very sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire family. Love, Jean Cain
Thinking of you in your sorrow and wishing you strength in the days ahead. Our sympathy to your family… Bob & Vicki Kiesling Creston, Iowa
Our deepest sympathy to Lois’ family. She was definitely a grand lady, who enjoyed life to the fullest. I can only image the welcome and party that greeted her at the pearly gates! The old gang is together once again. Orlin and Jan Rasing Herfindal
I grew up near Lois and her wonderful family. Lois’s husband passed away at a very young age and she raised her seven children on her own. She always had a smile and a hearty laugh. Even as a young child, I admired her strength and ability to do what she needed to do! My sympathy to the entire Eichenberger family. Laura (Noehl) Schmitz
Our deepest sympathies to the family of Lois Eichenberger, we are so sorry for your loss. Craig and Patti Rosauer
Simply Elegant Spathiphyllum was purchased for the family of Lois R. Eichenberger.
Familty of Lois, you have our deepest sympathy. Roger & Tina Hansen
Dear Family, I am so sorry for your loss. Another great lady that will be missed. Keep your memories close to your heart and she will be forever with you all. With much sympathy, Diana McFarland Gebel
Our deepest sympathy to Lois Eichenberger’s family, She was a great person, and liked to visit with her when I saw her. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
May God’s love for you fill your hearts in this most difficult time. Joyce and Lester Shatek
To the family of Lois. You have my sympathy for the loss of your mother.She was a great women and will be greatly missed. I remember when I made your Swiss steak for Christmas.She really enjoyed it. Gloria Parks and Brenda Parks.
Our sincere sympathy and prayers to the families of Lois. She was a wonderful mother and always had a smile and a kind word whenever we met. She is now at peace and joins her place in the Heavenly Kingdom.
Our deepest sympathy to Lois Eichenberger’s families, She was a great person, and liked to visit with her when see her. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
We had many great conversations with Lois. She was a lovely person. Our sympathy to all the family. Louise and Donn Harris
Sue Kuennen Massman lit a candle in memory of Lois R. Eichenberger
I remember Lois, always having a kind word and smile to share. We often had people stop by our home with their vacumns, mistaken for Lois’s house. Thoughts and prayers to your entire family.
Our deepest sympthy to your family. I remember your mother always having a smile and good word for everyone. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time Russell & Nancy Wegner