Lois M. Tecken

LOIS MAE TECKEN was born on March 6, 1926, to Fred and Selma (Sommerfeld) Emme in Tripp, South Dakota. She was raised and attended school in Tripp. She enjoyed working at the drug store, at the soda fountain and helping customers during her high school years. She was chosen by her classmates as her school’s homecoming queen, and graduated from Tripp High School in 1944. Lois then furthered her education at a business school in Mankato, Minnesota. She moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota after completing her education and took an accounting position at John Morrell & Company. She met Alfred Tecken while out for a night of dancing with friends at the Arkota Ballroom in Sioux Falls. On May 22, 1955, the couple was married at First Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls. They made their home on the Alfred’s family’s farm south of Steen, Minnesota. Lois worked alongside of Alfred on the family farm, raising their three children, and caring for Alfred’s parents.

Lois loved to dance and play cards with her friends. She was a great cook and spent many hours canning and freezing the vegetables she raised in her garden. Lois also enjoyed sewing and made several items for her children to wear, baby blankets for all her grandchildren, and later on, costumes for her grandchildren’s high school play productions. She was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Luverne and was a wonderful example of a Christian wife and mother. She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren dearly. Lois will surely be remembered for the kindness she showed to everyone.

Lois and Alfred retired from farming in 1988, but always remained active on the farm, helping whenever and wherever they were able. Alfred was called home to his Lord on February 27, 1993. Lois continued to reside on the farm they shared for the remainder of her years. After a brief stay at Ava’s House Hospice in Sioux Falls, Lois went to be with her Lord on Monday, November 16, 2020, at the age of 94 years, eight months, and ten days.

Lois is lovingly survived by her three children, Douglas (Ronna) Tecken of George, Iowa, Michele (Ronald) Stewart and Steven (Brenda) Tecken of Rock Rapids, Iowa; six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, Rebekah (Rev. Nicholas) Proksch and their children, Jeremy, Nolan, Colin, Micah; Benjamin (Victoria) Tecken and their children, Tristan, Vesper, River; Annalise Tecken, Adam (Isabella) Tecken, Daniel (Chrissie) Stewart and their children Cole and Alice, and Andrew Stewart; and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; two brothers, Harold and Howard Emme; and a sister, Joan Cramer.