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Lois Jeanne Statz, 97, of Storm Lake died Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, at Buena Vista Regional Medical Center in Storm Lake.
Funeral services will take place Thursday, Sept. 26, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Storm Lake. Burial will be in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Storm Lake. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to Elderbridge.org. Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.
Lois Jeanne Cole was born Dec. 21, 1926, to Robert and Julia (Pierce) Cole in Hawarden. Her life was shaped by growing up as the youngest of eight on a large farm in Hudson, S.D., where she happily enjoyed all chores, especially those that took her outside. The nearby Little Sioux River was part of her playground with ice skating, sledding and swimming.
Jeanne went to school in Hudson, graduating in 1944. During the war she worked for one year in Omaha, Neb., for Mutual of Omaha. She vividly remembered VE Day, with all the church bells ringing and the glorious celebrations.
Jeanne earned degrees from the University of Northern Iowa Teacher College at Cedar Falls and Buena Vista College.
Teaching was Jeanne's passion. She touched the lives of many students in Rolfe, Storm Lake and Schaller. Jeanne taught for over 40 years before retiring in 1991.
Teaching was her passion and it introduced her to her future husband when she took her second-grade class to tour the radio station in Storm Lake. Jeanne married Harold Matthew Statz, well-known as Andy Lynn, on June 23, 1950 in Hawarden. Jeanne and Andy had five children: Margaret Ann (Peg), Mark Steven, David Michael, Daniel Robert and Thomas Patrick. Upon the death of Daniel, Jeanne and Andy accepted the role of raising their grandson, Tony.
Jeanne was an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. She was a long-time member of Catholic Daughters of America, Guild and the Prayer Line.
Jeanne enjoyed traveling. Among her many albums were photos from Europe, Taiwan, South Carolina and the Black Hills. But her biggest was family. She reveled in picnics, family gatherings, holidays and games.
Jeanne is survived by her children: Peg Nicolay of Germany; Mark Statz of Ames; David (Teodora) Statz of Storm Lake; Thomas (Winona) Statz of San Diego, Calif.; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; extended family and friends.
