Lois Tengquist

Lois C. Tengquist

Lois C. Tengquist, 99 years, 9 months and 14 days, from Viborg died Thursday, April 8, 2021 at the Wakonda Heritage Manor.  Memorial services will be at 1:00pm Monday, April 12, 2021 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Viborg with military honors.   Service will be livestreamed at www.facebook.com/oursaviorsviborg .  Burial will be at Turkey Valley Baptist Cemetery, Irene.  Arrangements by Hofmeister Jones Funeral Home.

Lois Beatrice Christensen went to be with the Lord on April 8, 2021. She was surrounded by love, and spent special time with her son Don, her niece Dana, family and friends in the days prior to her passing.

Lois was born on June 25, 1921 to Rosa and Arthur Christensen. She had fond memories of the family farm 2 miles north of Irene where she and her brothers Merle and Warren were born. She loved playing in the woods, caring for the horses and sheep and milking the cows with her father.

Lois’s mother Rosa modeled strength and perseverance as she guided the family through the loss of Arthur at a young age, the grasshopper invasion, the dust bowl, and the 1929 economic crisis. The Viborg community rallied around her family during these difficult times. As a result, Lois developed her quiet inner strength, courage, determination, dedication to community, service to others, and caring for people in need.

During her senior year Lois worked for Magda Lund as a nanny for baby Sonia. In 1940, two days after graduation from Viborg high school, Lois set off to fulfill her dreams of life in the big city. Lois boarded a train for Chicago where she was hired as a nanny. She saved money to attend the Chicago College of Laboratory Technology. In December 1943, Lois met her future husband Howard Tenquist. They both loved books, music, theater and poetry. The instant connection felt on their blind date blossomed through their correspondence while Howard served in Europe under General Patton. Lois joined the army in 1944, and was stationed in a hospital as a laboratory tech where she cared for wounded soldiers. Lois often reflected on the patriotism of the time, and what our brave soldiers endured to protect freedom around the world.

Lois and Howard married in 1946. She gave birth to their son Don in 1947.  Howard’s career as a food chemist took them from Chicago to Wisconsin, Conneticut and New York. Lois loved spending time in Manhattan attending Broadway shows, the opera, and visiting the museums.  Throughout the years, Lois continued working in blood chemistry labs, and always enjoyed her work.

Lois returned to Viborg in 1988 after Howard’s death. She continued her career in Viborg and Yankton. She voluntered with Meals on Wheels, Hospice and the Danish Days committee.  She was honored to be  named Danish Queen. She had great fun with her friends at Our Savior Lutheran church, the book club and the Red Hats ladies club. She had great adventures to Europe, the Panama Canal, and Washington DC. Lois was a great sports fan. She loved watching baseball, basketball, and especially the Green Bay Packers. She would amaze her friends and family with her knowledge of all the sports stats- and made her niece Dana laugh when she would talk about “that handsome quarterback Aaron Rodgers”.

Lois was thrilled when her son Don joined her in Viborg to help care for her, and she was grateful for the care and love she received at her final home-the Wakonda Heritage Manor.

Lois was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Merle and Warren, and her sisters in law Helen (Merle) and Jan (Warren).  She is survived by her son Donald Arthur, her cousins Ginger, Sandra, Janet, Jane, Linda, Audrey, Agnes and Agnota, nieces Lynn, Dana and Julie, nephews Spike (Merle Jr), Eric and Marcus, great nieces Katie, Sydney Jan and Anna Michelle, and great nephews Donald, Erik, Ryan, Owen and Andrew. She will be missed by all who were blessed to know her.

Memorials maybe directed to Our Saviors Lutheran Church or the Turkey Valley Baptist Cemetery.