Lois Marilyn Brockmeyer

Born on Christmas day, 1931, in a remote Iowa farmhouse, Lois Marilyn Brockmeyer’s beginning in life was anything but guaranteed. Born so tiny that she barely fit into a shoebox, the doctor who delivered her told her mother, “There’s not much to do tonight. Put the box near the back of the stove to keep her warm, and if she’s alive in the morning, then give her a name.” Such was the start to Lois’s life…or so the story goes.

Lois’s father and mother, Simon and Martha Burnstrom, both stout Swedes, farmed 160 acres of rich Iowa farmland. Their small farm had corn, cows, pigs, and chickens. Lois grew up quickly, learning the meaning of hard work at an early age. Her older brother, John, and her two younger sisters, Charlotte and Karen, were all close companions and trusted siblings, because in those days, farm work was all consuming: feeding livestock, milking cows, driving tractors, and cooking with their mother. When she was old enough, Lois went to a one-room rural schoolhouse, without a classmate, from 1st to 7th grade. In 8th grade she finally went to the town school, where she had a classmate for the very first time.

Lois loved school. She excelled in all subjects, participating also in sports, drama and music. She grew into a talented pianist, playing for a wide variety of audiences, including her family, church, and numerous school plays. Of course, the farm work continued, but Lois had bigger things in mind. After graduating from high school in Paulina, Iowa, she attended Coe College, and after that earned a nursing degree from Drake University. There, she met the love of her life, Richard Brockmeyer, a young man from southern California. They quickly fell in love, and remained so for the next 68 years.

After Richard completed Army training in 1953, he and Lois were married in a storybook wedding on blustery Halloween Day in Paulina, IA. Richard was assigned to a post in northern California, with Lois working in a doctor’s office in Fortuna, CA. Later, they moved to Garden Grove, CA, where Dave was born in 1957. Doug followed in 1960. In 1962 they moved to Newport Beach, quickly planting roots and becoming part of the fabric of the community. Lois was active in St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, and lived her faith by nurturing and caring for friends and family. She loved to play tennis, swim at the beach, play bridge, backpack, and ski. While raising her sons, she became close to their friends and families, dispensing sage advice and when necessary, lending a sympathetic ear. She was active in many local organizations, including Wheelchair Tennis, PTA and Assistance League. But her favorite volunteer organization was Hospice of Orange County, where she specialized in working with children and their families.

Lois and Richard were world travelers. You name the country, and they’ve probably been there. From Red Square in Moscow, to Khatmadu, to the Kalihari Desert, to bare boating in Fiji, they explored the world, living life to the fullest, learning from every experience they encountered. Lois had a way of greeting you like you were her one and only friend and had an uncanny knack of finding the best in everyone. She continuously gave back to those around her with love, concern and compassion.

Lois leaves behind many close friends (too many to mention), scores of loving, devoted relatives, her older brother John, five grandchildren (Meghan, Makenzie, Russell, Carson and Madison), her sons Dave and Doug, and her husband Richard. Although she battled Alzheimer’s disease for several years and the end was always inevitable, it still breaks our hearts that such a loving and wonderful person has left us. However, we know she’s in God’s hands, with her parents and sisters by her side. We look forward to the day we can be reunited.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be sent to the Hoag Hospital Foundation (330 Placentia Avenue, Suite 100, Newport Beach, CA 92663) in memory of Lois M. Brockmeyer. Gifts will be directed to the Pallative Care Fund. Gifts can also be made online by visiting hoaghospitalfoundation.org and selecting the "Donate" tab at the top of the page. Please make sure online donations reference her name.