Lois Lorene Fry
Lois Lorene Fry
Lois Lorene Fry
May 13, 1943 – October 29, 2022
Allen, Texas (Gibson, Iowa) | Age 79
Lois Lorene Husband Fry, beloved mother and grandmother, died Saturday, October 29, 2022 at the age of 79 in Allen, TX. She was born on the 13th of May 1943 southwest of What Cheer to Lawrence and Mildred Husband.
Growing up on a farm in the Thornburg area, she attended the school there, graduating from Tri County, later taking Cosmetology classes at Ottumwa Beauty Academy.
Lois was united in marriage to Dean Fry of Gibson in 1958. The couple made their home on a farm north of Gibson, becoming parents of two children Betty Fry Thornton and Jerry Fry (Zelma).
After the couple built a new home, Lois opened the Hair Shoppe in their basement where she worked the next thirty years.
Dean passed away in 1997, after which Lois worked in the fertilizer business in New Sharon and Victor until she retired in 2007. Lois loved flowers and creating floral arrangements and over the years worked occasionally in florist shops in What Cheer, Montezuma and Grinnell.
During her retirement she took up golf with her friend Loretta and they found a true love for the game. Another long-time interest of hers was genealogy. She and her niece, Janet Braden, have compiled and created many books on their lineage. Doing so they traveled to a number of states researching their family. Their most memorable trip in 1996 was 17 days spent in England with her daughter Betty and daughter-in-law, Zelma accompanying them. While there, they toured Barrington Court, the manor house of ancestors of the Fry family who were Knights in Somerset.
Another love of her life were her children, Betty Fry Thornton and Jerry Fry, and granddaughters, Nicole Thornton Fisher and Ashley Thornton Wethor. Her great-grandsons: Anthony Cullotta, Zachary Cullotta, Kyle Fisher and William Wethor were a real joy to her.
In 2009 Lois suffered a stroke while in Illinois visiting her family for Christmas. After rehab and much therapy, she was able to return home in April. In June, Lois required brain surgery due to an aneurysm which affected her balance. She spent a year and a half in an Assisted Living facility in Sigourney until 2012 when she sold her farm home and purchased a smaller home in Oskaloosa where she was able to live on her own. She lived there with help from close friends and family who she was truly grateful for, especially her lifelong friend Betty and her niece, Janet until 2019.
Lois then made the tough decision to move to Texas to be near both her children, something she never thought would happen. She lived on her own in an apartment in a senior living community until she required more assistance and moved into an assisted living facility, minutes from Betty and Ashley and not far from Jerry and Zelma, where she lived until she passed.
Lois enjoyed spending time with her family on shopping trips and outings as well as family meals and gatherings. She truly loved being so close to her family.
Lois is survived by her daughter, Betty Thornton; daughter-in-law, Zelma Fry; granddaughters, Nicki (& Mark) Fisher and Ashley (& Chris) Wethor; and great-grandsons: Anthony Cullotta, Zachary Cullotta, Kyle Fisher, and William Wethor.
She is now reunited in Heaven with her parents, Lawrence and Mildred; husband, Dean; and son, Jerry, who recently passed in May.
Funeral services will begin at 11:00 am on Saturday, November 12, 2022 at the Holland-Coble Funeral Home in What Cheer.
Visitation will begin at 10:00 am Saturday and last until the time of service.
Burial will be in the Sixteen Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to What Cheer Opera House.
