Lois Jean Dietz

There are several powerful themes that wind through the life of Lois Jean Dietz

Faith- and fascination- Lois loved Jesus. She was not a stuffy religious person, but one who

Found true joy and fulfillment loving and serving her Lord. When she started attending St. David’s about 5 years ago, she said, can you believe at my age, I am going to Sunday School- but she was one of those lifelong learners, who was always seeking to dig deeper- in Scripture, in faith and in life.

She was wooed by Music, whether classical music or the operatic voice of Andrea Bocelli, the country ballads of Lee Ann Womack, contemporary singer Ed Sheeran or the ballads of Whitney Houston- Music brought Lois to live life with gusto and passion. At times she would send me powerful YouTube videos of inspirational music she had seen, that she thought would be inspirational to me.

She was also a lifelong learner a regular attender of Sunday morning and Wednesday

Night classes, she would from time to time miss a class and email me to send her a copy of the handouts that she had missed.

Joy in the simple things

One of my greatest memories of her was watching her and her dog Roxi play school- where her miniature pug would complete a series of well-rehearsed tricks to the delight of anyone nearby. Not one for faint praise, Roxi only received a treat if the routine was done with perfection. She spoke often of her children and grandchildren and feasted on the time that she spent with them.

If you spent any time with her, you knew that she was a person of strong will. Each time there was an approaching storm I would check with her about her plans- usually she wasn’t going anywhere. Much like King Lear, she dared the storm to blow her way!

Lois also was a person of generosity and frugality- seemingly opposing forces. This past year one of her neighbor’s graciously donated much of their furniture in a neighboring condo to the Church. As we were carrying the furniture out of their unit, Lois’ quick eye spied a white leather loveseat that she though would work perfectly in her living room- Instead of taking it to the awaiting elevator and truck, she bought it on the spot and we carried it into her condo!

Reading her obituary you will be struck by the number of times that she was moved to servant ministry. Whether raising and serving her family, taking communion to persons who were homebound, teaching the catechism to children, or caring for her husband- no one needed to look for her servant’s heart.

In a nutshell, whatever the situation, whatever the joy or the sorrow, Lois was there to put an exclamation point on life. And she would dare each one of us to do the same.

As we prayed earlier in the service:

Let a portion of her believing, persevering spirit rest upon us. She now dwells in the nearer presence of her Lord, set free from the confines of a body that her spirit outgrew. She is in that special place that the Lord has prepared for her. She is in that glorious place where there is no sickness, no disease, no sorrow, no pain, no tears, and no death. Well done good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Master.

Amen.

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Lois Jean Dietz, 87, was born April 23, 1930 to the late Milo and Josephine Hansa in Chicago, Illinois. She passed away peacefully, February 26, 2018, at Holmes Medical Center in Melbourne, Florida. Having lost both parents at a young age, she was raised by her grandparents, newly immigrated from what is now the Czech Republic. She had a sense of freedom growing up in a small town, where she began developing her fiercely independent spirit. Lois graduated Arlington Heights High School in 1947. She met John William Dietz (Jack) on a double-date at the roller rink, though they were not each other’s initial date, and Jack’s friend never forgave him. Lois and Jack married in April of 1950. Their marriage of 63 years was full of love and adventure, raising five children: Lynnda, John William II, Judi, Jeffrey, and Lisa. She found limitless joy in being a grandmother and great-grandmother. While she worked at Illinois Bell for decades, raising her family was her main priority. On the last day of her life, when asked her favorite part of being a mother, she replied: “all of it.”

Though her generosity was not limited to family—it was her mission to bring joy to those around her and she volunteered wherever she could fill a need. Lois will be remembered by many things, notably her giant smile, super-human strength, energy, sense of humor, positive spirit, and willingness to lend a hand. Her door was always open to friends and family, where she was quick to provide a delicious meal and good conversation. Her ability to adapt was remarkable, from operating phone switchboards as a teenager, to checking her email daily and communicating with her extended family and lifelong friends. She was proud to be in attendance for all special occasions, ceremonies, graduations, or birthday parties, and she went to great lengths to make sure those around her felt special. Her sense of style was matched only by her thoughtful frugality, and she was ever the perfectionist.

Lois spent most of her life in Chicago suburbs and Cocoa Beach, but she traveled extensively, beginning with family vacations in the US while the kids were growing up, and later seeing the world by land and sea—from China to Africa to South America. Even at 87, she was looking forward to a river cruise on the Danube River later this year with her daughter, Judi. She took pride in knowing she only had one speeding ticket, though she was once fined for jaywalking on vacation in Los Angeles with her youngest daughter, Lisa, which was victoriously contested. Lois loved sunrise and sunset. Her favorite flowers were lily of the valley. She tried to read To Kill A Mockingbird each year. From being a Eucharistic minister, teaching CCD, and reading her daily devotionals aloud each morning, her faith remained a strong and prominent core of her strength. Despite harsh Chicago winters, she found warmth spending time with her son Jeffrey and granddaughter, Jenna, while caring for Jack until his passing from Alzheimer’s disease in March 2013. She then relocated permanently to Cocoa Beach, where she refused to leave her condo during even mandatory hurricane evacuations claiming, “Oh, it’ll be fine.” As sweet as she was stubborn, so many things in her life brought her joy: looking and listening to the ocean, playing dominos at her kitchen table, walking her beloved pug, Roxi, being a part of the community at St. David’s, and spending time with her dear neighbors at Emerald Seas. Lynnda’s grandchildren gave Lois the gift of being a great grandmother, and she was grateful to spend time with each of them here in Florida.

On February 9th, Lois experienced a stroke, which despite its severity could not overwhelm her incredible personality. Surrounded by family, she was quintessentially Lois at every turn, cracking jokes and engaging in conversation of her favorite topics, from life long memories to a particular chicken paprikash recipe. After a lifetime spent helping whomever she could, in her time of need, she made every effort to show appreciation to those around her, including nurses and staff. Her youngest granddaughter, Jenna, was the first at her side after the

stroke. Elizabeth, her other granddaughter, who was first held by Lois after being born, was honored to be the one holding her last. Lois loved life, but knew a joyful reunion with her guys— husband Jack, son Johnny, and grandson Ryan, was waiting for her. She is survived by her son, Jeffrey and daughters, Lynnda, Judi, and Lisa; grandsons, Jonathan, Jordon, Nicholas, and Benjamin; granddaughters, Elizabeth and Jenna; and great grandchildren Julian, Jaide, and Jennavive. She will be missed higher than the sky and deeper than the ocean. “And how!”