Lois Anne Roelofs, 83, Professor Emerita of Nursing at Trinity Christian College, passed away in Sioux Falls, SD, on January 11, 2025 from pancreatic cancer.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Friday, January 30, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3801 E. 26th Street, Sioux Falls. Following the service, the family warmly invites you to join them for lunch and fellowship.
A second opportunity for fellowship and light refreshments, with Lois’s family present, will take place on Saturday, January 31, 2026, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at The Village Cooperative of Sioux Falls, located at 1600 E. 77th Street, Sioux Falls, SD 57108.
Lois A. Roelofs 83, Professor Emerita of Nursing at Trinity Christian College, passed away in Sioux Falls, SD, on January 11, 2025 from pancreatic cancer. Her husband, Marv, died in 2018. She is survived by her son Jon (Sheri) Roelofs of Kent, WA; daughter Kathleen (Michael) Ridder of Sioux Falls, SD; grandchildren Kristin (Allan) Jensen, Kyle (Kaileen) Roelofs, Megan (Shane) Benner, Madison Ridder, and Jacob Ridder; and great-grandchildren Taylor & Oliver Benner and Annalise Jensen.She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Kay Hoitenga. She was preceded in death by her parents, Rev. Dewey and Mrs. Tess Hoitenga; brother Dr. Dewey Hoitenga; sisters and husbands Dr. Kay (Ron) Korthuis; Rose (John) Kossen; and Esther (Dave) Van Zytveld.
Dr. Roelofs earned a Diploma in Nursing from Blodgett Memorial Hospital School of Nursing,BHS in Nursing Practice from Governors State University, and an MS in Psychiatric Nursing/PhD in Nursing Science from the University of Illinois at Chicago.Working nearly forty years in nursing, she held positions in eight places, ranging from hospitals to steel mills, and taught and/or held administrative positions in four schools of nursing in Illinois. After her retirement in 2000, as a strong believer in lifelong learning, she completed the four-year University of Chicago Basic Program of Liberal Arts for Adults and developed her avocation of writing creative nonfiction. She took over 30 writing workshops and published two memoirs: Caring Lessons: A Nursing Professor’s Journey of Faith and Self and Marv Taking Charge: A Story of Bold Love and Courage.
In 2016, she and her husband moved from downtown Chicago to Sioux Falls to be near their daughter and family. Lois liked being an in-town “Gram,” able to attend her grandchildren’s programs, games, and one-on-one birthday outings. She also enjoyed her involvement at OLLI (Osher Life Learning Institute), Westminster Presbyterian Church, and in several book clubs. Since widowed, Lois liked spending winters in AZ with her son and family.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to support the Food & Pantry Ministry at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3801 E. 26th Street, Sioux Falls, SD 57103.
To watch the service virtually please use the link provided by Lois’ church listed below:
https://youtube.com/live/xZVYEpAmhPM?feature=share
Celebrate a life with the whole community in The Dakota Scout. Contact obits@thedakotascout.com to have your loved one remembered today.