Thief River Falls – Lois (Odegaard) Markstrom passed away August 15, 2023, at the age of 96.
Lois was born to Andrew and Anna Odegaard in Grand Forks, ND on October 19, 1926. When she was two years old, the family moved to Malung, where Lois grew up on the family farm with siblings Walter, Dennis, Audrey and Sharon. She attended school in both Malung and Roseau.
On February 3, 1945 she married the love of her life, Ardell Markstrom, at the Moe Lutheran Church Parsonage in Roseau. They had three children, Sally (Wendell) Grand of Thief River Falls, Michael (Mary) Markstrom of Sioux Falls, SD, and Roger (Dawna Miyagawa) Markstrom of Iron. Lois and Ardell were also blessed with five grandchildren, Jeff (Val) Grand, Jon (Angie) Markstrom, Cathy (Ed) Radermacher, Wendy (Jeff) Fagerstrom, Scott (Kendra) Grand; seventeen great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
Ardell and Lois were long-time members of Moe Lutheran Church, where Lois was active with the Moe Church Ladies Aide Circle making lefse. She was also a Sunday school teacher and youth advisor. She later helped deliver meals for the Meals on Wheels program and became involved in the Four Seasons Senior Citizen Center, where she and Ardell enjoyed making doughnuts and lefse and spending time with neighbors and friends.
Lois worked at the Gambles store in Roseau for more than 30 years and in the kitchen at the Roseau school for eight years. Later, she worked alongside Ardell in the propane business they ran in retirement.
Lois really loved to knit. She made many, many pairs of slippers for family and friends over the years – earning the nickname “Smoking Needles” from her kids and grandkids. We’ll remember her for her loving hugs, quick wit and the twinkle in her eye when she was about to say something either funny, inappropriate or both.
Lois was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed going to any activity she was able to – especially concerts. And her hockey-playing family will remember her attending every game she could, yet not actually seeing a minute of action. She was so afraid that her kids, grandkids or great grandkids might get hurt, she just couldn’t bear to watch.
After decades in Roseau, Ardell and Lois moved to Thief River Falls in August 2007 to be closer to family. Her beloved husband, Ardell, passed away July 12, 2008.
Lois was a resident at Greenleaf assisted living in Thief River for many years, and recently moved to Karlstad where she passed away at Karlstad Nursing Home.
Lois is survived by her three children and their spouses; five grandchildren and their spouses; seventeen great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild; as well as one sister, Sharon Fugleberg; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ardell; brothers, Walter and Dennis; and sister, Audrey; along with their spouses; and brother-in-law, Don Fugleberg.
A Funeral Service for Lois E. Markstrom of Thief River Falls, and formerly of Roseau, will be held on Monday, August 21, 2023 at 11 a.m. at Moe Lutheran Church in Roseau. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will take place at Malung Cemetery.
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