Lois Marian (Lydell) Green

LOIS MARIAN LYDELL GREEN

July 23, 1943 – August 16, 2020

      It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Lois Marian Lydell Green, of Dorset, Minnesota on Sunday August 16th.  Lois had valiantly waged a battle with cancer for the past 11 years.

      Lois was born at home on July 23, 1943, in Green Valley Township to Arthur and Lulu Lydell.  She was the eighth of 16 children born of that union.  Lois began her education at District #10 school in Green Valley Township before transferring to Osage Elementary school until grade seven.  Lois attended Junior High and High School in Park Rapids, graduating in 1961.  She continued her education at Moorhead State University and the University of Alaska Anchorage.  Lois’s greatest disappointment in life was that she did not complete a degree.

      In December 1961, Lois married Delano Vizenor and their marriage was blessed with two children: Michelle and Monty.  Michelle and Monty were born on the same date, exactly one year apart.  The family resided in Minneapolis and Detroit Lakes before relocating to Anchorage, Alaska in 1982.  Lois was employed by the Department of Labor.  She was responsible for professional development, serving as the state president for the International Association of Personal Employment Security from 1989 to 1990.  She met her future husband, Ronald Green, who also worked for the department of labor during those years.  Lois became a stepmother to Shaun and Christie.

      Lois and Ron qualified for early retirement in 1991 and moved to Texas.  Both were employed with the Texas Employment Service.  In 1992, Lois and Ron returned to Minnesota, settling in Willmar, Minnesota, where Lois was employed as the manager of the New London Antique Mall.  This experience ignited her desire to open her own shop.  In 1996, the couple moved to Dorset, Minnesota, where Lois opened “Auntie Flo’s” antiques.  Lois loved the antique business as well as the many friends and acquaintances that visited her shop.  Twenty-three years later, Lois was forced to close her business due to her declining health.

      Lois enjoyed volunteering, sharing her cheery disposition with various non-profits in the area.  She and her sister, Eleanor, were faithful volunteers at the Community Thanksgiving meal for several years.  Lois was an animal lover and worked many sales, securing funds to benefit the Headwaters Animal Shelter.  The Hubbard County Food Shelf, which she dearly loved, was her favorite charity.  Lois joined the board of directors, serving with dedication and enthusiasm, making many dear friends in the process.

      Lois was a grandmother to Alex, Betsy, and Chase Helmeke, Emmy Dunn (Pat), Katie Kaltenberg, and Madison Vizenor, Lila, Audrey, and Olivia Green.  She was a great grandmother to Miles Kaltenberg, Cohen Soliday, and Hudson Kowalkowski.

      Lois is survived by her husband, Ronald Green; her children: Michelle (Brent) Helmeke, and Monty Vizenor (Nicole Van Engel); and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She is also survived by her siblings: Betty (Marlyn) Arneson, Rodney Lydell, Laura (Mike) Fowler, Ken (Barb) Lydell, Vivian Steinkraus, Susan (Dick) Pike, and Jeanne (Ron) Kern; as well as step-siblings: Judy Steckel, David Fawley, Bill Fawley; and numerous nieces and nephews.

      She was preceded in death by her parents, Art and Lulu; stepfather, Howard Fawley; brothers: Wes, Roger, Don, and Steven; stepbrother, Jerry Fawley; as well as sisters: Harriet, Eleanor, Pauline, and Linda; a niece, Renda and a nephew, Robert.

      Interment was held on August 20^th, at Riverside Cemetery in Osage with a private family gathering.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Hubbard County Food Shelf and the Headwaters Animal Shelter.