LOIS G. HARSTAD, age 92, of Worthington, died Monday, February 12, 2018, at the Maple Lawn Nursing Home in Fulda. She was born May 1, 1925, in Harris, IA, to Orville and Grace (Burley) Keifer. Lois graduated from Harris High School and attended Cadet Nursing School in Des Moines, IA. She worked in the telephone office in Spencer, IA where she met her husband, Barney.
Lois married Barney Harstad on November 2, 1947. The couple made their home in Minneapolis for the next two years. They decided to leave the city and moved to Worthington and began farming. They lived in Sanborn, IA for one year and then returned to Worthington where they have remained. Lois worked at Schwartzwald Drug Store before working as a receptionist at the Worthington Regional Hospital. Lois retired in 1987. She became a resident of the Maple Lawn Nursing Home on July 22, 2016.
She was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Worthington where she worked at the rummage sale. She belonged to the UMC Women, the Friendship Class and counted money “which was dirty”. Lois also belonged to the Fairview Farmers Club, the 6-47 Club, RSVP Pioneer Village and the Worthington Turkey Trotters. She loved to play cards especially pinochle.
Lois is survived by her four children, Steve Harstad (and special friend, Barb Kirkpatrick), Valley Springs, SD; Don (Nancy) Harstad, Pipestone, MN; Jeri (Bill) Sirovy, Jackson, MN; Amy (Jim) Stefferud, Reading, MN; six grandchildren, Mike (Andrea) Harstad, Jennifer (Bryan) Rossow, Andy (Jen) Harstad , B.J. Harstad, Dan Harstad and Jeremy Johnson (and special friend, Kaitlyn Wiskur); eight great-grandchildren, Samantha & Jacob Banghart, Gracy Rossow, Lauren & Mason Harstad, Zachary & Kendra Harstad, and Areigh Harstad; a sister, JoAnn Jones, Arizona; and many nieces & nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Barney on May 29, 2007; daughter, Karleen Harstad in 1966; and a sister, Arlene (Ray) Watts.
Visitation will be from 2-4 pm Sunday at the Dingmann Funeral Home in Worthington; and also one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Funeral will be Monday at 11 am at the First United Methodist Church, in Worthington, officiated by Rev. Dr. Daren I. Flinck. Burial will be in the Worthington Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
To view an online obituary please visit dingmannandsons.com
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Lois G. (Keifer) Harstad, please visit our floral store.