Lois Stinson

Lois Stinson, age 87, passed away on February 19, 2020, at St. William's Care Center in Milbank.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 28, at 3:30 p.m. at American Lutheran Church in Milbank. Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 27, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Mundwiler Funeral Home in Milbank. A private burial will take place at Milbank City Cemetery.

Lois Juanita (Clickner) Stinson was born at home in Vivian, SD, on November 13, 1932, to Gladys (Dunlap) and Charles Clickner. Later, triplet brothers and a sister joined the family. At the young age of five, her father passed away. She became the “mother hen” to her younger siblings and, throughout her lifetime, never outgrew the role. Gladys later remarried Clarence Enang, and another girl, Nona, was born into the flock.

Ralph and Lois met in high school in Vivian, SD. After high school, Lois taught in a one-room school for a couple of years and then went to an airline school in Omaha, NE. She took a job in Washington, DC, working for the airline. Ralph was drafted into the Army and was stationed in Fort Meade, MD. Their love continued to blossom, and they were married on October 16, 1952, in Vivian. Ralph and Lois were blessed with two daughters and years later, two boys. Lois was proud of her family and as the years continued, her extended family.

Lois had a bookstore that started on the front porch of her home in Milbank, SD, and later moved downtown. Lois was active in the community, helping those less fortunate.

Lois enjoyed taking care of people. Ralph and Lois opened their home to an AFS exchange student from Panama, Addys Benzadon. She became a part of the extended family. Lois’s mother lived with them for ten years. Then the grandkids and great-grandchildren came along. They were a great source of pride. In later years, as Ralph’s health declined with Alzheimer’s, she lovingly took care of him. She did this all without complaint because she felt blessed to be able to care for those she loved.

Lois’s faith was very important to her. She never spoke much about it; she just lived it.

Lois is survived by her husband of 67 years, Ralph; her children: Nita and Steve Schultz of Fergus Falls, MN; Belva Stinson of Milbank, SD; Jason and Susan Stinson of Corona, SD; Richard Stinson of Hermosa, SD; her grandchildren: Matthew and Shelly Schultz, Andrew and Summer Schultz, Dan Schultz, and Jacob Stinson; great-grandchildren: Megan, Cole, and Ryan Schultz, Jadyn Schultz Salwey, Averi and Brayden Pankonen, and Collins Schultz; sister, Nona and Moussa Azizeh; three sisters-in-law; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her stepfather, Clarence Enang; triplet brothers: Clifford, Clinton, and Cortland Clickner; one sister, Nadine and her husband Jim Howder; and great-granddaughter, Grace Keylee Schultz.