Lois Hess

Lois Hess

Lois Hess
March 28, 1931 – November 23, 2019
Oskaloosa, Iowa | Age 88

Lois Hess, 88, of Oskaloosa, died Saturday, November 23, 2019, at the MHP Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa. She was born March 28, 1931, in Mahaska County, the daughter of Isaac and Mildred Stringfellow Van Zante.

Lois attended country school and went on to graduate from Oskaloosa High School with the class of 1948. While in high school Lois worked as a Nurses’ Aide at the ‘Old’ Mercy Hospital in Oskaloosa.

On June 28, 1949, she was united in marriage to Roy Hess at the Central United Methodist Church in Oskaloosa. To this union two children were born, Joyce and Alan.

Together Lois and Roy farmed in Mahaska County and northern Iowa in the Shellsburg, Garrison, and Dysart areas. When the farm work was done in the spring and fall, Roy would drive semi over the road. When the farm they had rented sold, Roy and Lois thought they would take that as an opportunity to buy a semi and see the country through the windshield of a big rig. Lois enrolled in classes to obtain her C.D.L. so she and Roy could team drive all over the country. In 1974, after completing her training, they purchased a semi-tractor and started their journey as a husband and wife driving team. In 1977, the two of them purchased Roy’s family’s farm west of Oskaloosa and began the process of renovating and restoring the home place. They continued to drive over the road until selling the truck in 1989. After coming in off the road, Lois was not ready for retirement. Her servant and caring heart called her back to nursing. She enrolled in classes at Indian Hills Community College and earned her C.N.A. license. Upon completion of school, Lois went to work at Mahaska Hospital in Oskaloosa until her retirement in 2001. At that time, she and Roy moved into town from the family farm.

She and Roy enjoyed attending First Christian Church in Oskaloosa. While living in northern Iowa they were active members of the Vinton Assembly of God Church. Lois served in many capacities at the church and was the long-time church treasurer. She was a co-founding member of the Know Your Neighbor Club in western Mahaska County. Lois enjoyed knitting and attending water aerobics classes at the YMCA.

Her family includes her husband of over 70 years, Roy Hess of Oskaloosa; two children: Joyce Hess of Oskaloosa, and Alan (& Terri) Hess of Swisher; three grandchildren: Arwen Rhodes, Erica Harold-Heine, and Andrea Sherman; seven great grandchildren: David Rhodes, Jr., Desiree Craig, Xavier Harold-Heine, Xander Harold-Heine, Hayden Sherman, Kayla Sherman, and Lucas Sherman; a sister, Alice Kool of Eddyville; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Doris Becker; and a brother, Ralph Van Zante.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, November 27, 2019, at 10:30 a.m. in the First Christian Church in Oskaloosa with Reverend Molly Goodrich officiating.
Burial will be in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
Visitation will begin Tuesday morning after 11:00 in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel from 5-7 Tuesday evening to greet friends and relatives.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Lois Hess please visit the Bates Funeral Chapel Sympathy Store.

Posted by on Nov 24 2019. Filed under Obituaries. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

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