Lois M Honken

Lois M. Honken of Osage, IA (formerly of Lockport, NY) passed away peacefully on Friday, August 18, 2023 surrounded by her loving children. Born on September 17, 1934 in Mitchell County, Iowa, she was the daughter of the late Alvin Ahrens and Rosella (Norby) Ahrens. She attended school in Mitchell and Rudd, graduating in 1952. After High School she attended Luther College for 1 year and moved to Mason City where she worked as a secretary. On August 29, 1959, she was united in marriage to Gerald (Jerry) D. Honken at Rock Creek Lutheran Church. After marriage, Lois and Jerry moved to International Falls, MN for 5 years where they started their family with a son and a daughter. After moving to Appleton, WI where they stayed for 10 years, they added another son to their family. They moved to Centerville, OH in 1977 which they called home for 8 years. In 1985, they moved to Lockport, NY and remained there for 37 years until Lois moved back to be near her sister, Dorothy (Ahrens) Moody in Osage, Iowa. Lois was a busy homemaker until her children were older and she then continued her career as a secretary (Dayton Flexible Products and Farm Credit) until she retired in 1995. Lois was a skilled seamstress who also enjoyed gardening, bridge, upholstering and spending time with her children and grandchildren. Lois and Jerry also enjoyed traveling throughout the country, including Alaska and Hawaii and going back to their roots in Norway and Germany. She was a faithful member of First English Lutheran Church in Lockport, NY where she was involved in the bell choir and helped out regularly with Brother’s Keepers Outreach until moving to Osage where she was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church. She is survived by her children, Mark (Barb) Honken, Sandy (Ed) Sherwood and Brian Honken; grandchildren, Courtney Honken (Nikoli Brown), Andrew Honken, Billy Sherwood and Tommy Sherwood; sister, Dorothy (Jim) Moody and several nieces and nephews. Lois was predeceased by her loving husband Jerry of 61 years, brothers Kenneth and Keith Ahrens and sisters Elaine Harman and Marlys Ahrens. Memorials may be made to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Hospice ( https://lifecare.org/donate/ ) or the charity of one’s choice.

Aquamation Services provided by Tranquility Cremation by Aquamation.