Lois Helen Holzfaster

Lois Helen Holzfaster was born September 1, 1930, in Marshalltown, Iowa to Ivyl Bennethum and Helen Karns. Lois grew up on a farm, working hard with her family, going to school, beginning the type of life that so contributed to her patience, spirit, and endurance. Lois was an active member of her church and choir, her faith was to be a cornerstone of her life. Farm work, horse riding, school, church, and community events kept her busy and happy. In 1945, the family grew with the arrival of her sister Avis with whom she would share a deep and abiding, lifelong bond. In 1948 Lois graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Marshalltown Iowa, and worked for a time at a bank in Iowa City, before accepting a secretarial position to the State Extension Service at Colorado A & M College in Fort Collins, Colorado. Lois met Virgil Mark Holzfaster in 1952, following his service in Korea, both attending St. Josephs in Fort Collins, and singing in the choir. Mark and Lois shared much in common, having grown up during the Depression era; they knew how to live simply, but never in need of anything, being as self-sufficient as possible. They shared a love of many things, especially music, friends, & dancing, but also the hope of having a large family. Lois and Mark were married on September 8th 1953 at St. Mary’s Church in Marshalltown, Iowa. They were both strong, hardworking people, prepared to start their lives together. Following their marriage in 1953 they began their family, with Linda in 1954, Cheryl in 1955, James in 1960, Thomas in 1962, Lisa in 1963, and Paula in 1966. Mark and Lois would settle in Lakewood, Colorado, first attending Our Lady of Fatima Church, and then St Bernadette’s Church. Mark was working first in the dry cleaning business for 10 years, then the next 25 years in construction and material supply. Being a wife and mother was exactly the life Lois chose, and she poured every bit of her amazing heart into her family. She was simply a great Mom, the source of what binds a family together. She balanced the household books down to the cent, juggling the titanic amount of housework that Moms went through in those days, cared for her family, nursed sick children, got them to off to school, sports, movies, doctor appointments, and every other imaginable destination that children can have. She was an unstoppable list-maker and coupon clipper, an amazing cook, making most food from scratch, to stretch the budget, yet never failing to bake for every school and church sale there was. She also bolstered the household budget on top of it all by sewing and child care for neighbors. Lois attracted many “extra” children along the way, from her children’s friends, to children she watched for neighbors, to neighbor kids who just got to have some cinnamon rolls, brownies, or cookies. Through her entire life Lois loved people of all kinds, always caring to learn people’s names, knowing the neighbors, the community at church, people at the grocery store and post office, always trying to find the good in everyone. She lived her faith, loved and supported her family in all of the ways a great Mom possibly can, and never took a moment of life for granted. When her children were grown, Lois would return to work, spending the next 25 years in retail sales, always carrying with her a deep work ethic, her endless kindness, and her positive attitude, finding many new friends among her coworkers. Lois remained active in her church, returning to singing in the choir at St. Bernadette’s. In 2001 her husband Mark passed away following a series of health issues. True to her spirit, while the loss of her husband was deeply hard, she dedicated herself to continue living well, maintaining good health, staying active, visiting her sister and family in Iowa yearly, and sharing all the time she could with family and friends. In 2019 at 88, Lois suffered a major stroke, and after hospitalization, she was transferred to a health care facility. She would struggle bravely to recover as much as humanly possible, despite tremendous odds. She would continue through her great heart to find friends, and was a favorite of the pastor, and the staff, for being a friendly, and even helpful patient. On July 23rd 2020, hospice care was started, and Lois was able to be surrounded by her loving family once again. Lois passed away peacefully on the morning of July 24th, 2020. She was 89 years old. She will always be missed, but there are no goodbyes, she will always be here, in the lives of all the people she touched in her life. Her gentleness, kindness, strength and simple goodness will not be forgotten. Lois was a devout Catholic, and the community of her church a source of comfort to her. Lois is survived by her 6 children, Linda Rosenberg (Jim Roberts), Cheryl Griffen (Lynn Griffen), James Holzfaster (Jean Atwood), Thomas Holzfaster, Lisa Holzfaster, and Paula Kimball (Kenneth Kimball). Lois had 9 grandchildren, {Cheryl Holzfaster} {Greg Emsbach} - Travis (Emsbach), {Lynn & Cheryl Griffen} Courtney Griffen, Marissa (Lively), {James Holzfaster} {Tanya Clum} Tara Holzfaster, Joshua Holzfaster, {Sheileeen O’Hayre} Christopher OHayre-Holzfaster, {Sheileen O’Hayre} {Marty Blubaugh} Travis Blubaugh {Thomas Holzfaster} Christine (Sullivan), {Lisa Holzfaster} {Chris Sandoval} James M Holzfaster, {Michaeleen O’Hayre (Alvarez)} {Michael Christner} Gabrielle Christner. She had 12 great grandchildren , {Travis & Carolina Emsbach} Riggins Emsbach, {Tara Holzfaster} {Eric Winterbottom} Payton (Winterbottom), {Paul Martinez} Connor Martinez {Joshua & Caitlin Holzfaster} Avlynn Holzfaster, Mason Holzfaster, Eisley Holzfaster, {James M Holzfaster & Danielle Mester} Ethan (Maes), Lily Holzfaster, {Christopher O’Hayre-Holzfaster} Kendra O’Hayre, Ryker O’Hayre , {Travis Blubaugh & Lindsay Kuhns} Colton Blubaugh, Everly Blubaugh. Lois is also survived by her sister Avis (Johnston) – Nephew – {Andrew & Jenny Johnston} Kennedy Johnston - Nieces – {Anna (Armstrong) & Gene Upah} Bart Upah, Allie Upah, {Jeanne (Armstrong) & Doug Joens} Jackson Joens, Meghan Joens, {Helen (Johnston) & Nathan Martindale), and her brother–in-law Robert Holzfaster. Her memorial service will be held at St. Bernadette’s Catholic Church, at 10 A.M. on Thursday the 13th of August. In keeping with her wishes, in lieu of flowers, please consider donations to The Little Sisters of the Poor, or the Alzheimer’s Foundation.