Lois Mae Heesch

Lois M. Heesch, 77 of Garretson died Friday, January 25, 2008 at her home after a brief battle with cancer.

Funeral services will begin at 10:00 AM Thursday, January 31, 2008 at the United Church of Garretson. Burial will be in the Summit Hill Cemetery. Visitation with the family present will be from 5-7:00 PM Wednesday at the Minnehaha Funeral Home, Garretson.

Lois Mae Berdahl was born on April 11, 1930 in Garretson, South Dakota to Hilmer and Sophia (Kindler) Berdahl. She was raised in Garretson by her father, Hilmer Berdahl, Grandfather, Christopher J. Berdahl and her Aunt Lillian Kindler due to her mother’s early death in 1935. On August 10, 1949, Lois married Marvin L. Heesch in the Zion Lutheran Church in Garretson. Following their marriage, they lived their lives on the family farm near Garretson and were members of the United Church of Christ in Garretson. In August 1999, they celebrated their 50th Anniversary with a family dinner and picnic. Marvin passed away August 4, 2007.


Blessed with the gift of music, Lois was a member of many choirs while attending Garretson High School. She attended many competitions, performing solo and in groups. Lois also played the trombone in the school band. Lois also sang with many community and church choirs. She really enjoyed singing in the choir for the Billy Graham Crusades that came to Sioux Falls. There will surely be a place in Heaven’s Choir for her! After her marriage to Marvin, she became very active with the UCC church in Garretson. She was a member of their choir, taught Sunday School, played organ for the services, and took part in the ladies’ groups.


Lois and Marvin were able to travel from coast to coast and beyond to Hawaii! She loved the beauty of the islands. Her interest in nature showed at home with the numerous bird feeders outside her back window. She just loved to watch the various birds that would fly into the yard during different seasons. Even the darn squirrels made her laugh sometimes!


In recent years, Lois and her sister Audrey revived the annual Berdahl reunion that had been held for so many years in Garretson. They managed to bring so many relatives together again.


Grateful for having shared her life are her sons, Bruce (Mely), Virginia Beach, VA; Steven (Sharon), Garretson; Wade, Sioux Falls; Michael, Brandon; and Brian, Garretson; her daughters, Carol (Al) Abbott, Summerville, SC; Christie (Keith) Ballinger, Brandon; eleven grandchildren, Terrence, Johanna & Jason Heesch, Amy Heesch and Julie (Jeremy) Felcher, Alvin Abbott III, Amanda & Kyle Ballinger, and Steven, Zachariah, and Noah Heesch; and a great grandchild, Dandre Felcher; a sister, Audrey White, Baltic and many other relatives and friends.


Welcoming her at Heaven’s gates were her husband, Marvin (2007) her mother, Sophia Berdahl, (1935); her father, Hilmer Berdahl, (1987); and all of her anxious friends and relatives who have traveled before her.