Lois Mae Galema
Lois Mae Galema
Lois Mae Galema
June 3, 1925 – February 2, 2023
Oskaloosa, Iowa | Age 97
Lois Mae Galema, 97, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, peacefully went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on February 2, 2023, at Crystal Heights Care Center in Oskaloosa, Iowa, where she received loving care for over five years.
Lois was born in Muskegon, Michigan, on June 3, 1925, the youngest of five children of Henry and Margaret DeWind.
Lois grew up in Muskegon, attending Muskegon Christian School through grade 10 and Muskegon High School for grades 11 and 12. Before attending college, Lois taught for two years because there was a shortage of teachers. Lois graduated from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1948, completing her course of study in 3 ½ years.
Lois began her official teaching career in Grand Rapids and moved to Lafayette, Indiana, in 1950. She was one of the first teachers at the new Lafayette Christian School.
Lois married Joseph Galema, Sr. of Lafayette, on March 29, 1952.
Two weeks after their wedding, Joe left for a year of military service in Germany. Lois and Joe wrote to each other faithfully every day that he was gone. Upon Joe’s return and discharge from the army, the couple lived in Lafayette and then West Lafayette, IN. Their union was blessed with three children, Joseph Jr., Sheryl, and Diane.
Although she was primarily a wife, mother, and homemaker, Lois was also a substitute and part-time teacher for the Lafayette Christian School for many years. Lois and Joe were married for 34 years before he passed away unexpectedly in 1986.
Lois was an active member of the Lafayette Christian Reformed Church. She taught the Ladies’ Aid Society Bible lesson for 25 years. She was a blessing to the congregation in many ways behind the scenes–ordering flowers and serving at weddings and funerals.
Lois moved to Vriendschap Village Retirement Community in Pella, Iowa, in 2007 and joined Pella Calvary CRC. In 2017 she moved to a care center in Oskaloosa, Iowa, to be even closer to Sheryl. She was dearly loved by the nurses and staff.
Music was an important part of Lois’ life. Although she wasn’t able to take piano lessons until she was 14, she progressed quickly and was the church organist at a small chapel for a time. Lois taught piano lessons off and on over the years until she was 80. Lois loved to knit and made many full-size afghans, baby blankets, dishcloths, and pillow covers. She also sewed numerous flannel baby quilts for her grandchildren, children of nieces and nephews, and for charitable Pro-Life organizations in Lafayette and Cary, Mississippi.
Lois was a precious gift of God. She loved her Saviour deeply and quietly served him. This was evident in her life. Often her children remarked on what a good example she was to them of growing old gracefully.
Those left to cherish her memory are:
Son, Joseph Galema, Jr. of Colorado Springs, Colorado;
Daughter, Sheryl (& Stephen) Stam of Oskaloosa, Iowa
Grandson – Philip (& Laura) Stam –
Great grandchildren: Hannah, Luke, Elena
Grandson – Joel (& Dawn) Stam –
Great Grandchild: Korben
Granddaughter- Michelle Stam
Grandson – John (& Caroline) Stam
Daughter, Diane (& Ed) Ritzema of Posen, Illinois;
Grandson – Peter (& Rachel) Ritzema –
Great Grandchildren: Jaxon, Emily
Granddaughter – Susan (& Bob) Thimons –
Great Grandchild: Leo
Granddaughter – Lisa (& Bob) VanLonkhuyzen
Many nieces and nephews; and One sister-in-law, Violet DeWind.
Lois was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Joe; her parents; and her four siblings: Loren DeWind, Henry DeWind, Elsa van Reken, and Marjean Borgerding; sister-in-law, June DeWind; brothers-in-law: Don van Reken and Elvie Borgerding; as well as several nieces and a nephew.
Funeral services for Lois will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, February 10, 2023, in Lafayette, Indiana, at the Hippensteel Funeral Home.
Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m., before the service. Langkamp Funeral Chapel & Crematory is entrusted with the arrangements in Oskaloosa.
Burial will be in Tippecanoe Memory Gardens in West Lafayette, Indiana.
Memorial donations may be made to World Renew, the Lafayette Christian Reformed Church, or the Lafayette Christian School.
