Lois May Allen

May 26, 1942 – June 14, 2025

Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Grant. Henry Halfland and Gladys Lilia (nee Upgreen). Survived by her family, Brothers, Roy and Curt, son Scott (Joan), daughter, Nicole (James), and grandchildren: Joseph, Hailey, A.J., Mark, Gary, Mason, and Hunter, As well as numerous extended family members. Throughout her life, Lois was an active member of the Methodist Church first in Northeast Minneapolis at Ebenezer, then Trinity, then Grace which became Northeast community Methodist. Then finally when she moved to her cabin at Hand Lake, she joined Salem Lutheran in Longville, Minnesota. She was a founding member of the Minnesota Mineral Club. She was an active volunteer leading Campfire Girls, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Vacation Bible School. In addition, she was active in many organizations including the Moose Lodge, Foresters, PTA/PTOs, Church Trusteeships and women's leagues. Lois enjoyed the lifelong pursuit of music. Starting in high with school marching band and choir continuing in church choirs at Trinity, Grace and Salem. She participated in the St. Lawrence marching band. She played her guitar during many volunteer activities and participated in teacher testing at Luther college as a choral member for choral directors being examined. In the Longville area she participated in both the community choir and the church choir doing holiday caroling, Memorial Day, and 4th of July performances and guitar jams at the local church.

Lois raised her two children Scott and Nicole in a very hands- on fashion helping them with their struggles in school and then became an active grandmother who was always full of fun and surprises. She arranged countless family events such as weddings and baby showers and more mundane, picnics and get-togethers.

In her working life, she wore many hats starting at Dayton's in the millinery department, stocking pricing, and dressing mannequins. Then she became a dental hygienist. Which was followed by the birth of her son Scott. She then returned to the workforce as an entrepreneur starting a rock shop and import/export business with her husband, Scott's father, her High School sweetheart, and first husband Gary Wachs. Next, she took a position at Electric Machinery (E.M.) in quality control. After her second back injury when E.M. let her go. she took a position with the Methodist Church. When her daughter, Nicole came along and surprised everyone, Lois was unexpectedly the first person in the history of the Methodist Church to use the birthing clause of her employment contract. After that, Lois took a position at Hewlett Steel doing statistical analysis as quality control. She did such a thorough job that her male counterparts complained that she was too efficient and asked her to falsify records because too many production batches had to be sent back.

In her free time, Lois enjoyed the great outdoors: hiking, bicycling, fishing, camping, rock hunting, and photography were some of the pursuits she enjoyed. She was also an active crafter she began by sewing her own clothes, including her own prom dresses. She crocheted each grandchild, a one-of-a-kind baby blanket and many family members received something she made. She crafted beautiful mosaics with natural stone. She participated in countless craft fairs earning awards at the State Fair for her mosaics, needlepoint and crochet. She exhibited and won awards at the state level at Federation rock shows also.

Lois will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by her family and everyone she touched.

A funeral service for Lois will be held Wednesday, June 25, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Sunset Funeral Home, 2250 St Anthony Boulevard NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418. Following the funeral service will be a committal service from 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM at Sunset Cemetery, 2250 St Anthony Blvd, Minneapolis, MN 55418.