Lois A. Van Ess, of Cedar Grove, passed away on Monday, February 2, 2026, at Aurora Bay Care Medical Center.
Lois was born on October 18, 1936, in the Town of Holland, the daughter of Arthur and Mae (Tenpas) Ter Maat. She graduated from Cedar Grove-Belgium High School in 1955.
On March 21, 1958, she married Philip Van Ess at the First Reformed Church in Cedar Grove. Philip preceded her in death on October 9, 2016, following 58 years of marriage.
Lois was employed as a secretary for Woefe Products in
Sheboygan. She then worked for the Cedar Grove-Belgium Schools as a cook and helped with sport events for 31 years.
Lois was a lifelong member of the First Reformed Church of Cedar Grove. She was a choir member, Sunday School teacher, volunteered for church events, and worked for Family Nite events. She was a United Fund board member, worked at Good as New Store, belonged to the Cedar Grove Senior Club. She was an Auxiliary Member for Post 9156 VFW in Sheboygan and helped with the Friday night fish and dessert events and belonged to the Sheboygan County Knitting and Crochet Club.
In her spare time, she enjoyed cooking, baking, knitting, and crocheting. She knitted afghans for each of her grandsons. They traveled to many states, including Hawaii and Alaska. They attended many sporting events of their grandchildren as well.
Lois is survived by two sons, Mark (Jodi) Van Ess, Dale (Jodi) Van Ess, of Cedar Grove; daughter, Laura (Russell) Voss of Plymouth; six grandsons: Andrew (Katie) Van Ess of Oostburg, Alex Van Ess of Cedar Grove, Aric (Beth) Van Ess of Cascade, Brandon Van Ess of Oostburg, Tanner (Mirandra) Voss and Hunter Voss of Plymouth; four great-grandchildren: Gavin and Lydia Van Ess and Kennedy and Mason Van Ess. She is further survived by her two sisters, LaVerne (Wayne) Opgenorth of Oostburg and Leona (Dan) Thuene of Cedar Grove; brother, Lloyd TerMaat of Cedar Grove; and brother-in-law, Roger Van Ess of Cedar Grove. As well as many nieces, nephews, special cousins, other relatives, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Philip Van Ess; sisters-in-law, Carol TerMaat, Sue Van Ess, and Alvina Van Ess; and brothers-in-law, Harvey (Gladys) and Irvin (Beatrice) Van Ess.
A funeral service to celebrate Lois’s life will be held at First Reformed Church in Cedar Grove on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at 11:00am. She will be laid to rest at Cedar Grove Cemetery next to Philip.
Visitation will be held at church from 9:00am until the time of service at 11:00am.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established in Lois’s name for the First Reformed Church, Family Nite, and for the Cedar Grove Fire and First Department.
Wenig Funeral Home in Oostburg (920-564-2771) is honored to serve the Van Ess family. Please visit wenigfh.com for online condolences.
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