Oakdale, MN - Departed her earthly life at the age of 90 years on May 29th, 2026, while in hospice care at The Pillars in Oakdale, Minnesota.

She was born July 17th, 1935, to Theodore W. Carlson and Lois G. (Davis) Carlson in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Losing her mother at a young age to cancer, her father and her returned to the family farm in Minnetonka Mills, where she lived for three years with her father, aunts and uncles. Her father married Leona T. Carlson in 1940, and they moved to Hopkins, Minnesota, where Lois spent the remainder of her childhood. She graduated from Hopkins High School in 1953, and St. Olaf College in 1957.

She wore several hats during her adult years. She worked as a medical social worker for the Glen Lake Sanatorium, taught elementary school in Bloomington and St. Paul, authored the Use-It-Up Cookbook, and worked in administration at the University of Minnesota. In retirement she was an active volunteer in her Prospect Park neighborhood and founded the community e-list. She was passionate about family, music, and history and recently completed her research on the American Indian hymn "Many and Great, O God."

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jon Willand. She is survived by daughters Tona and Martha Willand, and son-in-law, Adam Entringer.

Memorial services will be held September 12th, 2026 from 1-4pm at the Prospect Park United Methodist Church.

www.Washburn-McReavy.com

Hillside Chapel 612-781-1999