Lois Irene Axmear

Lois Axmear, age 97, passed away at the Mapleton Community Home, Mapleton MN, Wednesday, April 27, 2022. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday May 27 at Keswick United Methodist Church, Keswick IA.  Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the church prior to service. A lunch will be served immediately after. Interment will be at the Sorden Cemetery, rural Keswick IA. Olson-Tichenor and Powell Funeral Homes are handling the arrangements.

Lois Irene (DeBont) Axmear was born to Tunis and Edith (Jordan) DeBont on May 8, 1924 near Keswick IA. She attended Keswick Public School and graduated from there in 1942. Lois helped raise her two younger sisters during her mother’s illness. On December 27, 1947 she married Raymond (Jake) Axmear at the Keswick United Methodist Church. They lived on the family farm NE of Keswick till retiring to Keswick in 1984. Lois worked side by side with Raymond raising hogs and chickens. She sold eggs to many in the community and also had a large garden. As her dad aged, she also helped take care of him. Lois was very active in the B Natural Club, American Legion Auxiliary James Murphy Post, Keswick United Methodist Church and the Women’s Fellowship there. After moving to town, she also volunteered at the Veterans Hospital in Iowa City IA for many years and helped maintain the Legion Hall in Keswick. In October of 2017 she moved to Mapleton MN to be closer to her daughter and family.

She is survived by her daughter Cynthia (Galen) Reding of Mapleton, MN, granddaughter Abby (Malachi) Dahms of Mankato, MN, 2 grandchildren, Hattie and Noah Dahms of Mankato, MN. Sister Verna Ridenour of Sigourney, IA, sister-in-law, Lois Miller of Woodburn, OR, sister and brother in laws-JoAnn and Jim Moore of Keswick, IA, Betty and Bob Davies of Surprise, AZ, special friend Jane Ferree and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Raymond in 2008, 2 brothers and their spouses, Milton and Lisle, Kenneth and Norma, sister Marjorie Burden, brother-in-law Don Ridenour and 6 sister and brother-in-laws.

A heartfelt thanks to the wonderful staff at the Mapleton Community Home, Heritage Place, and St Croix Hospice for the excellent care given to Mom. Blessed be her memory.