Lois Mae Dobson

Lois Mae Dobson, age 96, passed away at Church Home on Tuesday, October 29, 2024.

Born on March 25,1928, in Alta, Iowa, Lois was the middle child of Amandus and Ellen (Holmes) Johnson. Although her mother, sister, and brother, were Methodist, Lois was baptized and attended the Lutheran Church. She was raised on the family farm until graduating from Alta High School in 1946. She then moved to Sioux City, where she attended business college. Later, at work, she was set up by her future brother-in-law on a blind date with a sailor home on leave. Lois met Frank. They married in the Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA. From then on life was an adventure. Frank was in the Coast Guard where they were stationed in Long Beach, and Oakland CA; Sitka, AK; Portland, ME; Boston, MA; and Aiea, HI, where after 27 years, Frank retired from the Coast Guard settling in Bellevue, NE.

Lois was very active in the many churches she attended throughout the country. She always sang in the choir, often taught Sunday School, served as church secretary, and volunteered for everything!

Lois worked in many positions everywhere they lived; she babysat the neighbor children for fresh salmon in Alaska, worked for Sheridan Hotels main office in Boston, a pineapple cannery in HA, then after many years retired as secretary for the math department at Bellevue High School.

She and Frank eventually moved to her childhood home on the farm where she lived with Frank until his passing in 1992. She loved her life on the farm where she could usually be found outdoors mowing, gardening, or picking up sticks. When it was time to rest, she was found outside with her needlework. Lois was also active in the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, the women’s group at her church, We Care Widows group, visiting nursing homes, and shut-ins. Lois stayed on the farm until 2012, when she then moved to WR, GA, to be with her daughter, Susan and her family.

In addition to her parents, and husband, Lois was preceded in death by her brother, Ray Charles; her sister, Jean Ida Christensen; and a dear great-granddaughter, Teela Anne.

Her memory will forever be treasured by her daughters, Judy Marie Rutherford (Leonard) of Mobile, AL, and Susan Mae Rynders (Randall) of Warner Robins; grandchildren, Amanda Marie Winters (Joshua) of Warner Robins, Erin Michelle Rutherford of Fairhope, AL, Adam Ray Rynders (Jessica) of Atlanta, and Keely Anne Nicholas (Josh) of Mobile, AL; and great-grandchildren, Jackson, Kaydence, Addison, Jayden, Cheyanne, Jace, Burton, Kyah, and Corbin.

Visitation will be Monday, November 4, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at McCullough Funeral Home. A funeral service will immediately follow at 2:00 p.m., in the chapel of McCullough Funeral Home. Afterward, Lois Mae Dobson will be laid to rest on Friday, November 15, 2024, at Woodlawn Cemetery in Alta, Iowa. The graveside service will be at 11:00 a.m. Central Standard Time. 

The family will accept flowers or donations may be given in memory of Lois Mae Dobson to Sacred Heart Christian Service Center, 136 Northview Ave., Warner Robins, GA 31088; or to Trinity Lutheran Church, 401 W. 2nd St., Alta, IA 51022.

Go to www.mcculloughfh.com to sign the Online Registry for the family. McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.