Lois A. Torkelson died peacefully on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at Pine Haven Christian Communities in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin.
Born in 1938, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Mary (Maglio) and Arthur R. Torkelson, Lois lived in Milwaukee most of her life. She moved to Sheboygan in 2001. Lois was uniquely creative artistically, musically, and in her insights and philosophy. She was generous, deeply caring, feisty, eager to help others, articulate, funny, playful, and held strong opinions.
Lois graduated from Riverside High School in Milwaukee. From 1957 to 1960 she studied at The University of Chicago/Art Institute of Chicago. In 1976 she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art from Alverno College in Milwaukee, and in 1983, a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Lois was employed from 1960 to 1981 by the Shaw-Walker Company–Accounting Methods Division, designing, selling, and updating accounting systems for institutions and businesses across Wisconsin. She served as branch manager from 1974 to 1981.
From 1983 to 1984 she was employed by Central Baptist Family Services as a child welfare caseworker, and from 1985 until her retirement in 1999, she served as a licensed clinical psychotherapist at the Waukesha County Outpatient Mental Health Clinic.
Lois was active in the early days of the National Organization for Women’s Milwaukee Chapter, first as Coordinator of the Task Force on Employment, then as Coordinator of the Task Force for Consciousness Raising, through which she facilitated many memorable support groups. She served on the Board of Directors of the Women’s Center of Waukesha from 1982 to 1984.
Lois was preceded in death by her parents and by her sister, Thea, and brother-in-law, Robert Flower. She is survived by her dear friend of 48 years, Georgia, and by her nephews Gerard (Sakiko) Flower of Seattle, Washington, Robert Flower of Scotts Valley, California, and Thomas (Sandra) Flower of Cottonwood, California, grand-nieces and -nephews, and many friends.
Often described as one-of-a-kind, Lois is not easily forgotten. In recent years she has spread joy to staff, volunteers, and other participants at The Gathering Place day program and in Covenant Home at Pine Haven Christian Communities in Sheboygan Falls. Memorial donations in Lois’s name to either The Gathering Place & Memory Matters or to Covenant Home at Pine Haven would be put to excellent use. Both served her compassionately and extremely well, as did Sharon Richardson Community Hospice.
Lois did not want a memorial service, but if you are interested in attending an informal gathering of friends and family to exchange “Lois stories” and celebrate her life, please email your contact information and a few words about how you knew Lois to loisstories45@gmail.com.
The Olson Funeral Home & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Lois’ arrangements.
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