Lois Ann Ersland

Lois was born March 22, 1961 in Shawnee to Edward and Ruth Ersland, long-time residents within the community.   Lois died Monday evening, October 9, 2017.   As a child she took ballet lessons, sang and played the piano.    She was both musical and creative.   After graduating from high school, she lived for a time in Kansas City and San Diego before returning to Oklahoma.    Early in her adult life she developed mental illness, which she struggled with the rest of her life.   After her mother died, her father remarried in 1987.    Her stepmother Marjorie and her father for many years tried to help and support her in her difficult circumstances.    Lois could be sweet, loving, funny and caring, but also exasperating and difficult.      She remained connected with St. John Lutheran Church throughout her life and for the past several decades was close with Karen Fowler-Lindemulder, the former pastor of that congregation.   Lois had a deep faith that brought her comfort.   She also found fulfillment in her creative artwork.   She increasingly suffered from multiple physical issues and lived for the past couple of years at Mcloud Nursing Center.  She is finally free of her pain and suffering.   Lois is survived by her sister Susan Witten and husband Bill of Richardson, TX; her brother David Ersland and wife JacE of Wichita, KS; and her brother Lorenzo Ersland of San Rafael, CA.   Additionally, she is survived by her nieces and nephews David Witten; Rebekah Steffens, her husband Kevin and their children; Benjamin Ersland, his wife Mandi and their children; Jenny Myers, her husband David and their children; Jacob Ersland, his wife Sarah and their children; Margaret Mews, her husband David and their children; and Michael Ersland.    Funeral services for Lois will be held at 2 pm, Friday, October 13 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Shawnee with Pastor Jim Hicks officiating.    Burial will be in the Fairview Cemetery.