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BORN
1942
DIED
2026
FUNERAL HOME
4800 S Minnesota Avenue
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Lois Roelofs Obituary
Lois Anne Roelofs, 83, Professor Emerita of Nursing at Trinity Christian College, passed away in Sioux Falls, SD, on January 11, 2025 from pancreatic cancer.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Friday, January 30, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3801 E. 26th Street, Sioux Falls. Following the service, the family warmly invites you to join them for lunch and fellowship.
A second opportunity for fellowship and light refreshments, with Lois’s family present, will take place on Saturday, January 31, 2026, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at The Village Cooperative of Sioux Falls, located at 1600 E. 77th Street, Sioux Falls, SD 57108.
Lois A. Roelofs 83, Professor Emerita of Nursing at Trinity Christian College, passed away in Sioux Falls, SD, on January 11, 2025 from pancreatic cancer. Her husband, Marv, died in 2018. She is survived by her son Jon (Sheri) Roelofs of Kent, WA; daughter Kathleen (Michael) Ridder of Sioux Falls, SD; grandchildren Kristin (Allan) Jensen, Kyle (Kaileen) Roelofs, Megan (Shane) Benner, Madison Ridder, and Jacob Ridder; and great-grandchildren Taylor & Oliver Benner and Annalise Jensen.She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Kay Hoitenga. She was preceded in death by her parents, Rev. Dewey and Mrs. Tess Hoitenga; brother Dr. Dewey Hoitenga; sisters and husbands Dr. Kay (Ron) Korthuis; Rose (John) Kossen; and Esther (Dave) Van Zytveld.
Dr. Roelofs earned a Diploma in Nursing from Blodgett Memorial Hospital School of Nursing,BHS in Nursing Practice from Governors State University, and an MS in Psychiatric Nursing/PhD in Nursing Science from the University of Illinois at Chicago.Working nearly forty years in nursing, she held positions in eight places, ranging from hospitals to steel mills, and taught and/or held administrative positions in four schools of nursing in Illinois. After her retirement in 2000, as a strong believer in lifelong learning, she completed the four-year University of Chicago Basic Program of Liberal Arts for Adults and developed her avocation of writing creative nonfiction. She took over 30 writing workshops and published two memoirs: Caring Lessons: A Nursing Professor’s Journey of Faith and Self and Marv Taking Charge: A Story of Bold Love and Courage.
In 2016, she and her husband moved from downtown Chicago to Sioux Falls to be near their daughter and family. Lois liked being an in-town “Gram,” able to attend her grandchildren’s programs, games, and one-on-one birthday outings. She also enjoyed her involvement at OLLI (Osher Life Learning Institute), Westminster Presbyterian Church, and in several book clubs. Since widowed, Lois liked spending winters in AZ with her son and family.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to support the Food & Pantry Ministry at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3801 E. 26th Street, Sioux Falls, SD 57103.
To watch the service virtually please use the link provided by Lois' church listed below:
https://youtube.com/live/xZVYEpAmhPM?feature=share
Memories and Condolences
for Lois Roelofs
Brent Hoitenga
January 30, 2026
My Great Last Aunt to see Jesus. Love the race you ran and the rewards that await you. Say hi to uncle Marv, Dewey and the rest for me. Loved you.
Myra Wulf
January 30, 2026
Mike & Kathleen - I only knew Lois in her later years when she came into the tax office here in Sioux Falls but she was one of those delightful clients with whom to work, and I'm thankful to have become acquainted with her...always very poised, very professional, very polite, and very pleasant! Thoughts & prayers are with you during this time of loss. May God comfort each of your hearts in His own way and time.
Bill Lenters
January 29, 2026
Lois is a heroic person. Faced certain death with honesty, humor, and faith. Grateful to know her and grateful she is home
Marilyn Gannon
January 23, 2026
Lois will be missed at Book Club, since she always provides thought-provoking comments and insights. Lois will also be missed in the neighborhood. She was such a courageous person.
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Leah V
January 13, 2026
Lois was a beloved member of our congregation at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Sioux Falls and had a wonderful impact on others within our church family & community. I especially loved learning more about Lois when reading her beautiful book Marv Takes Charge. I’m sorry for your loss.
Kari Sansgaard
January 13, 2026
Class, sass, wit, wisdom, zest for life and zest for learning - what a woman! My life is better because of Lois and because of her family.
Marilou Richardson
January 12, 2026
Loved visiting with Uncle Marv and Aunt Lois during family reunions and when iced-in at O'Hare during their Chicago days. Grateful to see her on her "last hug" tour to Michigan last July. She was ready to be with her Savior already then...
Ken Nagel
January 12, 2026
Highschool classmates; reconnected last year. I miss her.
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Funeral services provided by:
Heritage Funeral Home and Cremation Services - Sioux Falls4800 S Minnesota Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57108