Lois Crooks

Lois Evelyn Johnson was born on August 3, 1928, to Nels and Mable Johnson on their farm in Altona Township, Pipestone County, Minnesota. Lois attended District 61 Country School for her first 8 years of schooling. She graduated from Verdi High School in 1946. After high school, Lois went to Beauty School in Mankato, Minnesota. While she was there, she met and married Gerald. They were married on September 3rd, 1948. While they lived in Mankato their first child, Janice was born. In 1950, they moved to Lake Benton, Minnesota where they added Glenn, Steve, and Connie to complete their family.

Lois spent her time making a wonderful home for her four children and caring for her husband who had a war injury.

Lois was a member of the United Methodist Church in Lake Benton where she was a Sunday School teacher, a member of the Ladies Circle, sang in the Choir and was part of a four-voice group that sang for funerals. Lois was also an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary.

Lois enjoyed many hobbies including: oil painting, quilting, crocheting, cake decorating, sewing, genealogy, and ceramics. She shared many of these skills with her grandchildren. She also occupied her time with reading, Sudoku puzzles, and taking classes. Music was a big part of Lois’s life. She not only sang but played piano, accordion, harmonica and organ. She loved listening to Gospel music, such as the Gaither’s. She had quite a collection of CDs.

During their 58 years of marriage, Lois and Gerald enjoyed playing cards with friends. They enjoyed many family vacations visiting relatives, but always spent time sightseeing along the way. After the kids were raised, they enjoyed working at the resort and traveling with friends. After Gerald passed away Lois continued to travel with her son Steve.

Lois passed away on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at the Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center in Marshall, Minnesota.

Lois is lovingly remembered by her children, Janice Basant (Sam) of Lake Benton, Gerald “Glenn”(Irene) Crooks of Eustis, Florida, Steven Crooks of Naples, Florida, Conelle “Connie” Milacek (Craig) of Argyle, Texas; nine grandchildren, Suniel, Shante, Kimary, Kara, Creed, Krista, Stacy, Craig, and Elise; 17 great-grandchildren; siblings from California, Alton (Audrey) Johnson, Carrol Turek, and Doris Yates; and many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her spouse, Gerald W. Crooks; parents, Nels and Mable Johnson; siblings, Irene, Buriel, Wayne, Leslie and Richard; and grandson, Jason.