Waldron, Lois Mae

Lois Mae Waldron, 81, of Keokuk, Iowa, died Oct. 12, 2012.

She was born Oct. 6, 1931, in Anamosa, Iowa, a daughter to Raymond and Clara Larson Cole. Lois married Stanley Vincent Waldron on July 4, 1949, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Anamosa. He preceded her in death on Sept. 5, 2005.

Lois owned and operated Stan's Pastry Shop in Keokuk, alongside her husband and children, since 1967. After the passing of husband, Lois was able to maintain the bakery operation with the help of her family, specifically her daughter and son-in-law, Madonna and Dick Kirchner.

She was a member of All Saints Catholic Church. Lois was involved in many charitable and community organizations. She was a proud supporter of Keokuk Catholic Schools and was a former board member. Lois was past president of Ladies of Charity and also organized its Christmas Baskets. She was the co-founder of 800 Block Party for Easter Seals. Lois was a volunteer for Birthright and the Democratic Headquarters. She was also a recipient of BPW Woman of Achievement and the Spirit of Keokuk Award. Her proudest moments were framed by a loving family and her strong faith in God.

Lois is survived by six daughters and one son: Madonna Kirchner and her husband, Dick, of Hamilton, Ill., Colleen Gredell and her husband, Ed, of Keokuk, Maureen Kull and her husband, Kevin, of Keokuk, Elaine Gray (Reggie Underwood) of Waxahachie, Texas, Theresa Davidson and her husband, Eugene, of Oxford, Mary Costa and her husband, Kevin, of Arlington, Texas, and Patrick Waldron and his wife, Kari, of Adel, Iowa; one sister, Jean Cook; three brothers, Ed (Pat) Lubben, Jim (Maureen) Lubben and John (Pat) Lubben; 16 grandchildren, Edward (Debbie) Gredell, Jason (Chastity) Kull, Erica (Joe) Babinski, Angela (Jontae Anderson) Gredell, Erin (Mike) Weber, Nathan Kull, Dustin (Mindy) Davidson, Emily Kull, Vincent (Laura) Davidson, Josh (Carolyn) Gray, Jacob Gray, Anthony Davidson, Jonah, Sam and Clara Waldron and Angelia Costa; eight great-grandchildren, Olivia and Nick Babinski, Ian Gredell, Taeja Anderson, Elijah, Ethan and Emma Kull and Erana Kull; and also her dog, Precious. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.

Besides her husband, Lois was preceded in death by her parents, stepfather, one sister, and a great-grandson in infancy.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, at All Saints Catholic Church in Keokuk, with the Rev. Robert Lathrop and the Rev. Marty Goetz officiating. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery in Keokuk. Visitation is after 3 p.m. Friday, with family meeting with friends from 6 to 8 p.m. at DeJong-Greaves Celebration of Life Centers located at 1212 Concert St. in Keokuk. There will be a rosary recited at 8 p.m.

Instead of flowers, memorials may be made to Keokuk Catholic Schools or Ladies of Charity.

Online tributes and condolences may be entered at www.dejongsfuneralhome.com.

Published Oct. 19, 2012 in The Gazette