Lois A. Kenitzer

1935 - 2021

Lois A Kenitzer, Bowdon ND, passed away at the age of 86 on Sunday, July 18th 2021 in Harvey ND.  Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday July 31st, at the Bowdon Church of God, Bowdon ND.

 Lois Arlene Smith was born April 6th, 1935 to Elsie (Ankrum) Smith and Frank Smith of Cooperstown, ND. She was the very first c-section baby born in North Dakota! She had an older sister who died in childbirth and Lois was raised as an only child. Her father Frank, was a lifelong barber, and her mother Elsie, was a treasurer at the County Court House and also a school teacher.  Lois attended Jamestown College where she met Jon Kenitzer. They were married in Cooperstown in 1954 and then both graduated from Dickinson State College with teaching degrees.

 Life with her husband Jon was a continuous adventure. They raised 3 children, ranched and farmed together, both were school teachers and they built and ran several businesses. Whatever they were doing in life, they enjoyed the journey as a team, for 67 years!  Lois and Jon lived in several states throughout their lifetime, returning and retiring to their North Dakota roots in 2020, to Bowdon, ND.

 Lois was an accomplished musician. She taught and played piano. She played saxophone and sang in several music groups, including our local women’s group, “GraceNotes.” She played organ and piano for church all her life and taught children’s Sunday School.  Lois enjoyed selling real estate for several years. She was an avid reader who delighted in and loved books. If you stopped by, the coffee was always on and there was usually wonderful music playing on some sort of player in the house.  And more often than not, for many years, a fresh batch of carmel rolls, cooling in the kitchen.  Lois was known as an elegant, selfless and gracious lady.

 Lois is survived by her husband Jon, her 3 children, Terry, Guy and Mitch,  six grandchildren: Brigitte, Sarah, Levi, Maegen, Lincoln and Allegra, and 12 great grandchildren: Mona, Reese, Darienne, Nina, Mika, Grant, Will, Kennedy, Asa, Harper, Tristin and Bentley.

Arrangements  with Nelson Funeral Home, Fessenden, North Dakota.