Lois Jean Nordstrom

Lois Jean (Ailie) Nordstrom, age 82 of Dassel, passed away at the Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson, MN on November 13, 2020. Lois was born October 29, 1938 on a farm north of Dassel to loving parents, Ardis and Wyman Ailie. Soon after she was born the family moved to a farm on the south side of Big Swan Lake. Lois attended the Little Swan Country School through the 8th grade and then attended Dassel High School. After graduating in 1956 she moved to Minneapolis and did secretarial work for an advertising firm and later the FHA. Dale and Lois began dating while at Dassel High School and were married on September 21, 1957 at the Cokato Finnish Apostolic Lutheran Church. After marriage they lived in a student housing quonset at the U of M while Dale was attending dental school. In 1960 they moved to Willmar, where Dale established a dental practice. In 1962 they moved to El Paso, Texas when Dale entered the Army. They moved back to Willmar in 1964. In 1970 they built a home of their own design on 40 acres east of Kandiyohi. After their children were grown, Lois was able to fulfill a desire to attend college in 1980, earning straight A’s. She enjoyed working with Dale in the dental office, and for many years taught and served at First Covenant Church in Willmar, including as church treasurer. In 1995 Dale and Lois moved back to their hometown of Dassel to retire on Dale’s family farm on Lake Washington, west of town. She was gifted musically, playing the guitar, recorder, and clarinet. She was an accomplished seamstress and also an artist. Her beautiful paintings now hang in her children and grandchildren’s homes. She had an adventuresome spirit, skiing down mountains with Dale and traveling the world together. Lois had an enduring faith in her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Her unconditional love and acceptance was her greatest testimony to her family. This sweet and faithful spirit remained with Lois through her struggles with Lewy Body Disease. We are comforted and rejoice in the knowledge that she is with her Savior Jesus Christ. Lois is survived by her husband of 63 years, Dale; children Brenda Arthur (Bryan) of Hanover, MN; Carol Wickstrom (Tim) of Hilmar, CA; Eric Nordstrom (Beth) of Atwater, MN; Michelle Soderlund (Chuck) of Darwin, MN; John Nordstrom (Firoozeh) of Acworth, GA; and Tim Nordstrom (special friend Kelly) of Rogers, MN. Lois is also survived by 22 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents Wyman and Ardis Ailie, and brothers Donald and Dean. The finest words of tribute will not be ours, but the words of our Lord whom she loved and served, “Well done, good and faithful Servant.” A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Thursday, November 19th at 2:00 p.m. at Highland Community Church, 13800 US – 12 SW in Cokato.

Lois Jean Nordstrom

October 29, 1938 - November 13, 2020