Lois Ewalt

WEBSTER – Lois Ewalt 87 of Webster entered eternal life on Friday January 26, 2018 at Avera Mother Joseph Manor in Aberdeen. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 A.M. Wednesday January 31, 2018 at Christ The King Catholic Church in Webster. Fr. Mark Axtmann will officiate. Visitation will be Tuesday 5-7 P.M. closing with scripture and the rosary at Fiksdal Funeral Service in Webster. Lois Ann Biersbach was born on June 7, 1930 at Webster, South Dakota to Anton and Lavinia (Becht) Biersbach. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Otto’s Catholic Church in Webster. She was raised on a farm northwest of Webster and attended parochial school there, graduating from Webster High School in 1948. After high school she enrolled at Northern State Teachers College in Aberdeen, South Dakota. Upon completion, she taught country school in Day County for two years. On June 6, 1950, she married the love of her life John G. Ewalt. The couple made their home on a farm west of Grenville, South Dakota where they raised their seven children. The family attended St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Grenville, and later at Christ The King Catholic Church in Webster, where Lois was active in various groups and activities in both churches, including Altar Society, Catholic Order of Forrester’s, and teaching CCD class. Lois was a talented quilter and seamstress, which started out as providing clothing for her family, but later turned into a hobby. She made detailed quilt tops for all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She also made lap blankets for the Veterans Hospital and nursing homes. Most recent sewing projects included constructing and sewing “Handi” bags for walkers and wheelchairs. John passed away in January 26, 2000. Lois continued to live on the farm until 2008, when she moved into Webster. In 2016, due to continued health issues, Lois moved to Mother Joseph Manor in Aberdeen. She continued sewing on her many projects and became beacon for many who worked there. Among her love of quilting and sewing, she also enjoyed crocheting, baking, flower and vegetable gardening, and above all else, time spent with her family and friends. She will be greatly missed by her children Tim (Cybil) Ewalt of Redmond, OR, Frank (Laurie) Ewalt of Billings, MT, Bill (Jean) Ewalt of Groton, SD, Lawrence (Donette) Ewalt of Webster, SD, Pat Ewalt of Sturgis, SD, and Margaret (Gary) Kwasniewski of Webster, SD. She is also survived by one brother James (Marcia) Biersbach of Minot, ND, four sisters; Maxine Blood of Freemont, CA, Iva Grubl of Sturgis, SD, Asella (Bill) Crum of Sioux Falls, and Alice Aronavitz of CO, as well as 20 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter Mary Lou Johnson, and sisters Delores Gollnick and Dorothy Hjellming.