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BORN
1954
DIED
2025
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Donald Lois Obituary
February 25, 1954 - January 16, 2025
Donald "Don" Lois, 70, of Kenosha, Wis., passed away tragically as the result of a car accident on Thursday, January 16, 2025.
Born on February 25, 1954, in Burlington, Wis., he was the son of the late Leonard and Magdalene (Krift) Lois. He graduated from Westosha Central High School and loved to participate in wrestling and football there.
On October 26, 1974, he married Charlene M. Merrill at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in New Munster, Wis. She preceded him in death on November 18, 2017.
Don began his career as a meat cutter at Kenosha Beef, then moved to Sentry as a meat manager. He most notably worked as the Meat Manager at the 80th Street location of Piggly Wiggly until his retirement. After he retired, Don kept busy helping in the meat deptartment at the Northside location of Stinebrink's Piggly Wiggly. After losing his wife seven years ago, he also began spending a lot of time at the family farm in Wheatland, which turned into a Monday through Friday routine. He loved spending time with his family, attending his grandchildren's sporting events and frequenting locally owned restaurants for dinner with his friends and family.
He was a devoted member of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of Pompeii, and the Holy Rosary Holy Name Society. He was very active in the church and volunteered on many committees. His family affectionately referred to him as a "Professional Volunteer" because he could be found at church, the fire department charity functions, the grocery store, or anywhere someone needed a hand. Don was a selfless man and would do anything for anyone. He will be missed greatly by all!
Don is survived by his two sons, Eric (Amanda) Lois and Marc (Brenda) Lois both of Kenosha, Wis.; four grandchildren, Ally Vaughn, Zoey Lois, Owen Lois, and Charlotte Lois; sister, Dorothy Gayhart; two brothers, Leonard (Carol) Lois, and James (Marilyn) Lois; mother-in-law, Grace Merrill; brother-in-law, Doug Merrill; sister-in-law, Kim (Dave) Daniels; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and his very special friend, Ella Maxfield.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, wife; two sisters, Gwen (John) Ketterhagen, and Marilyn (Matt) Matthews; and his father-in-law, Dale Merrill.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at Proko Funeral Home, from 4 to 7 p.m. Prayers will be held on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at the funeral home, at 9:15 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m., on Thursday, at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of Pompeii. Interment will follow in Sunset Ridge Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Holy Rosary Church or Holy Rosary Holy Name would be appreciated by the family.
Proko Funeral Home
5111 60th Street
Kenosha, WI 53144
262-654-3533
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Memories and Condolences
for Donald Lois
4 Entries
Rose (Richter) Pfanzelter
January 27, 2025
Donnie and I were childhood neighbors and playmates. When we were little, we would "steal" ice cream treats from their basement freezer - even though his mother had it locked! We would find the key and take our treats outside and hide as we quietly enjoyed our treasures. There was a summer that we scrubbed and cleaned out a chicken coop and made that our "club". I also remember standing on the barnyard fence as I watched him gently groom his cattle for the County Fair.
Many summer afternoons we would swing on their large swing set and try to crash into each other. Our farms were next to each other so we would many times meet in the woods behind our farms and play "Cowboys and Indians" as we climbed the trees. As we aged, we drifted apart. Donnie went to a different high school than I. Years later I spotted him from across the street at a parade in Bristol, WI.
It was wonderful to see him! One of his nieces married one of my nephews so I saw him again at one of "their" daughter's wedding. We sat at the same dinner table but he seemed very quiet so I didn't intrude. I was not aware that he had lost his wife. That could have been the reason... I know he was a wonderful man because I witnessed him as a wonderful young boy.
Cliff & Ruth Cowick
January 20, 2025
Sorry for your loss. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Roger & Arlene Runkel
January 19, 2025
Prayers in hugs to the Lois and Merrill families for the hole left in your hearts. Roger remembers meeting Don often on the road, both driving tractors (or something) in different directions...
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