Lois Lorraine Dennis

Lois Lorraine Dennis, age 88, a long time Park Rapids area resident, passed away on Thursday June 18, 2015 at Diamond Willow Assisted Living with her loved ones at her side. Lois was born on March 9, 1927 in Sebeka, MN to Charles and Iva (Dubois) Cunningham. As a small child, she moved with her family to Hitchcock, South Dakota where she attended the 1st grade. Her family returned to Northern MN and settled in the Arago Township area north of Park Rapids and later moved into Park Rapids. Lois attended public school in Park Rapids, graduating from Park Rapids High School with the class of 1946. As a young woman, Lois gained employment working as a sales clerk at the Park Rapids Dime Store. Later she worked as a seamstress for Munsingwear Manufacturing and gained sewing skills she used for the rest of her life. After spending several years with Munsingwear she moved on to Carter-Ringer Manufacturing and again used her skills as a seamstress. Following her mother's death in 1949, Lois and her father moved to Tacoma, WA where she also did seamstress work for Days Manufacturing in Tacoma. On December 16, 1949, Lois was united in marriage to Marvin "Mike" Dennis, of Park Rapids, in Hermiston, Oregon. After a short time in Hermiston they returned to Park Rapids where they raised their six children: Jim, LoAnn, Nancy, Charles, Richard and Danny. Lois devoted her life to making a warm and loving home for her husband and children. She was a wonderful cook and baker who will be long remembered for her delicious homemade pizza, tacos and homemade breads. In addition to caring for her family, Lois's talents in the kitchen were put to good use professionally in baking wedding, birthday and anniversary cakes to help celebrate these important events in the lives of many Park Rapids area residents. Lois was a member of the Crafts Arcade and also enjoyed music, playing her guitar with a small group of ladies who entertained senior citizens and at area nursing homes. She was a member of the Crazy Quilters Club and also took it as a personal mission to sew and knit clothes for the tiniest of premature babies. She loved the out of doors; especially when she could be out fishing with her husband, working in her vegetable garden or raising beautiful flowers into colorful splendor for all to see and enjoy. Lois had endured the heartache of losing her son, Richard in1978 and her husband Mike in 2007. Lois will be lovingly remembered by her children: Jim (Mary) Dennis of Park Rapids, LoAnn (Bryan) Cox of Akeley, Nancy (Charles) Deutschmann of Nevis, Charles (Shirly) Dennis of Park Rapids, and Danny of Nevis; eight beloved grandchildren and eight great grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Lois was preceded in death by her husband; her son, Richard; her parents; four sisters and three brothers. Funeral service 11 am Monday June 22, 2015 at Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids, MN. Visitation 5 pm - 8 pm Sunday June 21, 2015 at Jones-Pearson Funeral Home. Interment at Greenwood Cemetery in Park Rapids.