Lois Ann Paulsen

Lois Ann Paulsen

Scotch Grove

Lois Ann Paulsen, 86, of Scotch Grove, passed away on Nov. 21, 2023, surrounded by family in Monticello, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, at the First Presbyterian Church in Monticello where friends may call after 9:30 at the church. A private family burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery. Goettsch Funeral Home has taken Lois and her family into their care.

Lois Smrcek was born Nov. 26, 1936, on Thanksgiving Day at Mercy Hospital in Cedar Rapids to Rose (Zeman) and Bernard Smrcek.

Lois attended Taylor School on the “West Side” from kindergarten through 6th grade. She then went to Wilson Jr/Sr High School and graduated in 1955. Lois spent many years attending Sokol Gymnastic classes and attending Czech School classes.

After graduating, Lois worked on the “East Side” at Collins Radio. A co-worker introduced her to Darrell, a farmer from Scotch Grove, in Jones County, at Armar Ballroom. They were married within a year on Feb. 15, 1958, in Cedar Rapids on a very cold day.

Lois learned to help Darrell on the farm with chores. They loved traveling all over the world, going on yearly cruises, partaking in new adventures, and eating various cuisines throughout their 65 years of marriage. She loved reading, sewing, baking, and was always willing to donate to a worthy cause or for people in need. She loved family gatherings, sharing laughs with neighbors, and had opinions while not shying away from discussing politics.

Lois was a member of the Scotch Grove Presbyterian Church. She also enjoyed making pies with the “Pie Ladies” each Monday at the Monticello Presbyterian Church. She led exercise classes where she met so many of her local friends and enjoyed doing water aerobics at Camp Courageous.

Survivors include her husband, Darrell, Son Gary (Holly) of Center Junction, daughters Kim (Bob) Daly of Peosta, and Amy (Cris) Hulse of Boone. Grandchildren Kevin (Chase) Paulsen, Valerie (Connor) Graziano, Ali (Scott) Brehm, Alex (girlfriend, Elise) Daly, Drew Daly, Mason Hulse, Ryan Hulse, Peyton Hulse, 6 great-grandchildren, sister-in-law, Linda Edwards, and 5 nieces and 1 nephew.

Lois was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Betty Petrzalek, brother-in-law Richard Petrzalek, in-laws, Velma and Harry Paulsen, sisters-in-law Shirley and Mary Karen.

Memorials may be sent to Camp Courageous, Hall-Perrine Cancer Center and the Monticello Library in her name.