Photo courtesy of Reiff Funeral Home - Dyersville
Sep 16, 1949 - May 6, 2024
My sincere sympathy to Bob and girls, in the loss of this beautiful and gracious lady. I regret being unable to attend services. Rest in Peace, Lois, and thank God you were sent to all of us for a while.
Deanne Coohey
May 16, 2024 | Dyersville, IA | Neighbor
I was a classmate of Lois and always admired her strength and courage throughout her illness. She was such a kind and beautiful lady. May she rest in peace, Amen.
Laurie Rogers
May 13, 2024 | Rockford, IL | Classmate
Thinking of you all at this difficult time. Know how much I respected Lois’ courage, strength and good humor especially throughout these last few years. Our St. Boniface classmates met for friendly lunches and Lois kept coming to these events in spite of her illness. She inspired us all.
Ann ( Wessels) Goedken
May 13, 2024 | Cottage Grove, WI | Classmate
I am expressing my sincere sympathy to you Bob and your dear family upon the loss of your wife, mother, grandma, friend to so many. We know she fought the good fight long and hard over a period of years. We thank her for all that she contributed to this community to make it a great place to live. As you walk in the valley of darkness, please know that we are so sorry for your loss and pray God will give each of you the strength to carry on in her memory. Lois, may you rest in peace free...
Miriam Eick
May 12, 2024 | Dyersville, IA | Acquaintance
I knew Lois as my classmate. I knew her as my friend. The joy & love she brought to so many cannot be overstated. I visited with her for several hours in Jan. and oh how she expressed how she had that joy & love in her heart for her God, her family & her friends. I left feeling joy in my heart knowing God was going to receive a very special Angel-one of His finest.
Sharon (Engelken) Petsche
May 11, 2024 | DeWitt, IA
Thoughts and prayers from the Vijil Family.
May 10, 2024 | Friend
My condolences to your family.
May you rest in peace. Peggy is my sister-in-law.
Linda Keegan Kamalnathan
May 09, 2024 | Fremont, CA | Acquaintance
Aunt Lois was a very special aunt. She treated all of her nieces and nephews like they were her favorite. The other thing that will be greatly missed was that Aunt Lois was the family historian. She could tell us many things that had happened with grandpa and grandma and her own brothers and sisters. I know my youngest son Brandon will miss her greatly because she was his Facebook cheerleader. When Brandon would post anything about the Minnesota Twins, the Dallas Cowboys or anything with...
Rhonda Roling-Baldwin
May 09, 2024 | Menomonie, WI | Family
Lois was my first boss when I worked in my Dad’s insurance agency (Ross Insurance). I will always remember her incredible quick wit and her dedication to her job. She encouraged me to always do my best. I’ll remember her with a smile.
John Ross
May 08, 2024 | Coralville, IA | Friend
Lois E. Forkenbrock, 74, of Dyersville, Iowa, passed away at home surrounded by her family, on Monday, May 6, 2024.
Visitation for Lois will be held from 4 to 8 p.m., Sunday, May 12, 2024, at the Reiff Funeral Home in Dyersville, Iowa. Private graveside services for Lois will be held Monday, May 13, 2024, at St. Francis Cemetery in Dyersville, Iowa.
Lois was born on September 16, 1949, in New Vienna, Iowa, daughter of William “Bill” and Margaret (Schaeffer) Roling. She was a graduate of the first graduating class of Beckman High School in Dyersville, Iowa. She was united in marriage to Robert Forkenbrock on October 23, 1971, in Dubuque County, Iowa. She worked for many years at Ross Insurance and Bob’s Complete Maintenance.
Lois was a member of the Basilica St. Francis Xavier Parish. She was also a former member of the St. Francis Xavier Choir, the Catholic Daughters of the Americas St. Rose Court #350, and the Red Hat Society.
Lois loved spending time with her grandchildren and family, whether it was playing board games, learning new card games, reading poems, putting puzzles together, cutting out Christmas cookies, and going on family vacations, she enjoyed every moment. She loved her community and all the great friendships she made over the years. Some of Lois' happiest moments were spent with a book in her hand, visiting with her neighbors, and being surrounded by amazing groups of friends, who are too numerous to count.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Robert Forkenbrock of Dyersville, five children, Peggy (Greg) Keegan of Dyersville, Becky (Jason) Norton of Farley, Amber Westphal (special friend, Michael) of Elkhart, Mandy (Troy) Merkes of Waverly, and step-daughter, Lisa (Michael) Stehle of Anchorage, AK,; 11 grandchildren, Erin, Andrea (Ian), Dillon, Samantha (special friend, Aaron), Jarrett, Michael (special friend, Chloe), Alayna, Shyla, Gage, Braelyn, and Kallen; four siblings, Mary (Eldon) Sassen, Barb Hess, Duane (Judy) Roling, and Dale (Alice) Roling; brothers and sisters-in-law, Janice Roling, Fritz Forkenbrock, Mary Ann (Dave) Grady, Sue Forkenbrock, and Carol Kay Forkenbrock; godchildren, Jolyn Schneider, Ron Roling, and many special nieces and nephews; and her dear friends, MaryNell (Doran) Batterton, Judy (Bill) Klostermann, and Sharon (Bob) Demmer, who were like sisters to her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her in-laws, Bernard and Esther Forkenbrock; two brothers, Daniel Roling and Dick Roling; brothers-in-law, Donnie Hess, Jim Forkenbrock, Dave Forkenbrock, Jerry Forkenbrock; sisters-in-law Grace Roling and Mary Forkenbrock; and her godson, Robbie Roling.
The Forkenbrock family would like to thank the doctors at the Mayo Clinic, the staff at Mercy One Cancer Center Dubuque, especially Dr. Engleman and Tami Noonan, and Care Intiatives Hospice in Manchester for all the care and support they gave Lois.
Read More
