Lois Ann Calkins

Lois Ann Calkins of Kingsford, MI, was called into the presence of her Savior on Sunday, October 17 at Freeman’s nursing home. She passed peacefully with family by her side after living with Alzheimer’s disease for several years. She was born on September 9, 1931, to the late Roland and Leona VanGinkle of Niagara, WI. She graduated from Niagara High School and entered the workforce doing secretarial jobs in Niagara and Milwaukee before meeting her husband, Thomas W. Calkins of Aurora, WI. They were married on October 27, 1956. The love for her family was demonstrated by the devotion to her six children and husband. They lived on a farm in rural Aurora where one of her passions was milking the cows. She loved gardening, sewing, and socializing with friends from church. They were long time members of Immanuel Baptist Church where she faithfully served in the nursery, Sunday School, GMG, and other children’s ministries. She could always be found in the kitchen serving meals for events at church. She had a passion for serving and helping others. After raising their children, they enjoyed traveling and served by doing various projects with Wycliffe Bible Translators in Dallas, TX. Her sewing skills were put to use mending clothing that was sent to missionaries and their families. They later became members of Grace Baptist Church where she enjoyed the friendship of the ladies in her Bible study group. Lois’ grandchildren were her pride and joy. She loved to spoil them and shared her quick wit and sarcasm with them. Any conversations with them today will bring up the countless meatpies, apple bars and orange carrot jellos shared at family gatherings. She is survived by her husband of almost 65 years, Tom; her children, Roland (Marie) Calkins of Aurora, WI, Merlin (Julia) Calkins of Kingsford, Loren (Lenore) Calkins of Keizer, OR, Norman (the late Kathy) Calkins of Kingsford, and Raylene (the late Patrick) McDonald of Hobart, WI; her grandchildren, Tracie, Travis, Arminda, R. Evan, Celeste, Zachary, Abigail, Hannah, Jessica, Ashley, Mark, Matthew, Bradley; 21 great-grandchildren; her siblings, Phyllis Treiber, Marion McCormik, Jeanette Steckle, and Earl VanGinkle; and other family and friends. Along with her parents, Lois was preceded in death by her daughter, Marchia DelForge; granddaughter, Stephanie; great-grandson, Salem; her siblings, Doreen Phillips and Dale VanGinkel; and other family and friends. Visitation will be on October 23, 2021 from 9- 11:30 with a celebration of her life at 11:30 at Norway Evangelical Church. Lois’ family would like to express gratitude to the staff at Freemans Nursing Home for the care Lois received while she was a resident there. Condolences may be expressed to the family of Lois Ann Calkins online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon and Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.

Lois Ann Calkins

September 9, 1931 - October 17, 2021