"To the Elkins Family: I just wanted to express my sadness about the loss of your mother and grandmother. She was a dynamic, boisterous, and strong woman who always made sure you had enough to eat at the holidays. I can never make her signature pickle/ham/cream cheese hors d'oeuvres without thinking of her. She's probably up in Heaven making those hors d'oeuvres right now!"
In loving memory of
Lois LaVonne Elkins
July 31, 1932 - October 25, 2012
Lois LaVonne Elkins, 80, of Maquoketa, Iowa, passed away on Thursday morning, October 25, 2012, at the Crestridge Nursing Home in Maquoketa, Iowa.
A private family celebration of Lois' life will be held from the Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa. There is no public visitation. Burial will be at the Mount Hope Cemetery, Maquoketa.
A longtime Maquoketa resident, she was born on the family farm in rural Zwingle to Clayton F. Clark and Evelyn Marie (Peoples) Clark.
She met the love of her life, Howard Elkins, in high school and they were married 58 years until his death in 2009. Together they raised five children: Evelyn (Dave) Miller of San Jose, California; Tom (LuAnn) Elkins, Nancy (Al) Muhlhausen, James (Jolene) Elkins, and John Elkins (Joey Kuhlman-Reid), all of Maquoketa. In addition to her children, she is survived by her sisters LaVonne (Stuart) Morehead, Darlene (Harold) Butz, and Betty (Tom) Streets, Carolyn Clark (Neil) Morehead, and her brothers Larry "Butch" (Carol) Clark and Roger (Christine) Clark, and a sister-in-law, Joan (Don "Bud") Miller of Maquoketa, IA. She was a proud grandmother of Michael, Justin and Adam Elkins; Kalli, Maggi and Joni Muhlhausen; Ryan, Whitney, Jamie, Keil, and Jenna Elkins; Reece Elkins, Samantha and Madison Reid; and Brian and Matt Schepers. She was great-grandmother of six.
After high school, she was a secretary at Clinton Engines for several years. For the remainder of her life, she was a full-time homemaker and partner in Howard's TV business, rental properties and political career as councilman and mayor. She loved kids (especially her grandchildren), animals and travelling all over the U.S. and Canada. She was a prolific gardener and canner.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, a brother Robert Clark, and a sister Ruth Siegel.
The family would like to express our sincere appreciation for the kind and loving care of the staff at Crestridge Nursing Home, and Hospice of Jackson County.
Online condolences may be left at www.carsonandson.com.
Tributes
"I am so sorry to learn of Lois' passing. She was a wonderful grandmother to my children and I know they will all miss her."
"Nancy & Family: So sorry to hear of your loss! Our hearts and prayers are with you all! "
"Evelyn I am so sorry For your loss you are in our prayers."
"We were sorry to hear of your mom's passing. Take care and know that you are in our thoughts and prayers."
"Nancy and family: Sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. Cherish the memories you have of her. "
"To The Elkins Family, So sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. "
"Evelyn and families, so sorry to hear of your mother's passing. May she always be with you with memories of times past. Hold those memories close to your hearts."
"Our sympathies to the family of Lois Elkins. Jim and Donna Ripple. (Stuart and Lavonne Moreheads in-laws)"
"John....thoughts and prayers with you and your family at your time of sorrow."
"Evelyn,Tom,Nancy, Jim and John. I am sorry for your loss and will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. Lois had a knack with canning and gardening and I have many memories of Lois and Howard.They have left behind a great family,support each other during your time of grief. To Mike, Justin and Adam, I am so sorry for the loss of your Grandmother. "
"To the Elkins family. Sorry that you lost your mom and we know how you are feeling. Just now that she is with your dad again and they are in a better place."
"To the Elkins Family, your are in my thoughts and prayers -I am so sorry for your loss, I remember Lois always with a smile and kind heart-"
"Prior to establishing my AUTO TRIM business, Lois was my very capeable & devoted secretary during the years I was tool crib supervisor at Clinton Engines. I had known Howard & his siblings since attending Maq Twp # 7 Rural School on the 7 Hills Road. Both welcomed me when I visitted themn since I moved to Az. in June 1961."
"what a beautiful lady. heaven got someone special. I have so many fond memories hard to name just one.. we were like one big family with 2 moms,2 dads and a whole lot of brothers and sisters what one wouldn't think of the others would. our deepest sympathy goes to all the elkins and clark families on the loss of sister,aunt mother, grand ma and great grandma. Lois may be gone but will forever in our hearts. Prayers abd God Bless each and everyone of yous. love ann"
"To the Elkins Family,
Sorry to hear of Lois' passing. We will always remember her beautiful garden and her kind spirit. Keeping you in our prayers. Love to all.
"Death leaves a hole nothing can heal, love leaves a memeory no one can steal."
"
"Sorry for your loss. Lois was one of the best. I have some great memories of both her and Howard. God Bless ."
"Jim, Nancy and families, sorry to hear of your Mother's passing.. with Sympathy on the Loss of your Mother & Grandmother- Every day, you will miss her. but I hope that every day, you will find new grace, strength and insight in the feelings and memories that show she is with you still. Her life is your legacy, her love was her gift.. and your memories of her are the comfort you'll keep in your heart forever. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. "
"Nancy, Alan, Jim and Families I am so very sorry to hear about the loss of your mother/grandma. I know that she was a great lady. And will be greatly missed by all. Please know that you all are in my thoughts and prayers."
"Always such a pleasure and surprise when Howard and Lois pulled into the driveway for a visit. Both very knowledgeable people. Great story tellers and we enjoyed them both so much! Will be missed!"
"To the Elkins family, Sorry to hear of the passing of your love one. Please take comfort in the scripture at Isaiah 26:19 which says....your dead shall rise... This scripture is a promise from our loving Creator."