Lois Hofmeister

Hofmeister, Lois Marie Lois M. (Clouse) Hofmeister passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 10, 2021 in Jackson, Michigan at the home of her son. Lois was born in Hastings, Michigan on November 19, 1923 the daughter of George A. and Nellie (DeJongh) Clouse. She was predeceased by her siblings Clifford W. Clouse, Frederick A. Clouse and Kathryn Ferris, sister-in-law Margaret (Graham) Clouse and brothers-in-law Howard Ferris and Aldo H. Hofmeister. She graduated from Hastings High School in 1941 and from Western Michigan University in 1945 with her Bachelor's Degree in Home Economics Education. While at Western she met her "Navy Cadet", H. Lowell Hofmeister of Quincy, Illinois. They married at her parent's home in Hastings on August 18, 1945. While raising her family and working full time she returned to Western where she earned her Master's Degree in 1971. Lois began her teaching career in Croswell, Michigan, but took time off to raise her kids. She went back to teaching Home Economics at Kalamazoo O'Brien/Hackett Catholic High School from 1964 – 1974. After leaving education she worked for Richard Allen Medical Company in Richland from 1978 until her retirement in 1988. Lois was a wonderfully creative woman. She was a great cook and seamstress making many of her children's clothes when they were youngsters. She loved to knit, something she learned from her grandmother at the age of 4. She made hundreds of pairs of baby booties that she gave to expectant moms; mittens, gloves, hats and sweaters for her family; and more than 13,000 newborn baby hats that she donated to Bronson Methodist Hospital's Nursery. She created beautiful quilts for her children and her grandchildren. Lois loved her gardens and was always willing to share her most prized plants with anyone who wanted something special for their gardens. She was also an avid birdwatcher keeping the area birds (and other critters) fed and watered throughout the year. Lois traveled to Europe, Hawaii, St. Kitts-Nevis, the Pacific Northwest, the Southwest U.S and took a special mission trip to Haiti. She served for many years as a 4-H leader teaching cooking, knitting, sewing, furniture refinishing, and entomology. Lois also served more than 20 years as an election worker for Richland Township, many of those as election chair. She was an active member of the Gull Lake United Methodist Church. Lois was predeceased by her husband, H. Lowell Hofmeister on January 23, 1973. Lois is survived by her children, Caroline (Tom) Lewis of Galesburg, MI, Tim (Connie) Hofmeister of Davison, MI, Deb (Paul) Richardson of Greenville, MI and Steve (Nancee) Hofmeister of Jackson, MI. Also surviving are seven grandchildren; Helena Hayes, Angela Lewis, Philip (Heather) Hofmeister, Amy (Steve) Garrett, Jason (Chasity) Hofmeister, Janel Hofmeister (David VanDeusen), Leah (Rich) Bramer and seven great-grandchildren Zachary Hayes, Kristin and Connor Hofmeister, and Jaxon, Jenna and Austin Hofmeister and another expected in January. Those wishing to remember Lois may make a memorial donation to the Gull Lake United Methodist Church (8640 Gull Road, Richland, MI 49083) or to Heartland Hospice Memorial Fund (333 N Summit St., P.O. Box 10086, Toledo, OH 43669-0086). The family is being served by the Watson Funeral Chapel in Jackson, MI. watson-funeralchapels.com. A private graveside service at Prairie Home Cemetery in Richland, MI will be held at a later date.