Lois Mary Konzen, age 91 of Cascade, formally of Farley, passed away peacefully at her home on April 16, 2026.

Visitation will be held from 9am until Noon at the Reiff Funeral Home in Farley on Monday, April 20, 2026, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Joseph’s church in Farley at 12:30pm.  Burial will be held in St. Joseph’s Cemetery.

Lois was the daughter of Walter and Celeste (Burkle) Kramer, born near Dyersville and grew up in Worthington.

Lois was a loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

Lois met Frank Konzen as a teenager at a neighborhood barn dance. They were married on October 4, 1952 in St. Paul’s church in Worthington. A few months after marriage, Frank was drafted into the U.S. Army. After Frank finished basic training at Fort Riley, Kansas, Lois joined him living near the base in Manhattan, Kansas. After his tour of duty, they moved back to Worthington where they raised their 8 children.

Lois loved her role as a “Stay at Home” mother, nurturing and caring for her little ones in their formative years.

Lois was a member of the 656 American Legion Auxiliary, the Word Wide Hail Mary prayer chain member, and Promotor of the Miraculous Medal Association enrolling over 65 members each year.

Lois and Frank always took time to enjoy Hawkeye football games, league bowling, golfing, getting together with friends for pot-lucks, and game nights.

As the children got older, camping was the weekend enjoyment. Baseball was a big hit also as Frank coached his 3 boys and their teams all the way up to high school.

In 1974, they moved to Farley to be closer to schools and jobs. When the youngest child began school Lois went to school too, working as a para-educator with special needs children, which she found challenging and rewarding, for 20 years.

Frank and Lois both retired from Western Dubuque Schools at the same time. They did much traveling, bus trips, horse racing at the Quad Cities, and playing Euchre.

While Lois enjoyed coffee and luncheon with her friends, Frank enjoyed playing golf with his buddies. Lois was always up for a game of croquet or Rummikub with her children and grandchildren.

In between all the fun, Lois always found time for gardening, canning, baking, and cooking. She was famous for her molasses cookies and rhubarb custard pie.

She loved poetry and was happiest when she could be working, singing and whistling while she worked.

Lois and Frank observed their 65th wedding anniversary. Frank passed away just one week later in Oct. 11, 2017.

Surviving Lois are her children, Keith Konzen, Kymn (Kevin) Wenkman, Kevin (Bo Smith) Konzen, Kari Paschke, Kelly (Dennis) McElmeel, Kristi Donahue, Ken (Tammy) Konzen, Kammy (Rod) Sears.

Grandchildren, Jason and Kyle (Sara Huff) Konzen, Shanon (Kellyanne) Klink, Sean and Sam Wenkman, Ave Ana (Nick) Skuza, Sophia (Sam Wang) Paschke, Alaina (Mitchel Loy) McElmeel, Justin (Maggie) McElmeel, Danielle (Ben Fink) Donahue, Paige Donahue, Troy (Randi) Konzen, Brett and Kali Konzen, Natalie (Brandon) Ghazali, Hannah (Tanner Westmoreland) Prevo, Tyler Prevo.

Step-Grandchildren, Jordan and Gavin Sears, Dean (Lea) Dodson, Shelby (Jonathan) Woloszyn.

Great-grandchildren, Koen and Hans Klink, Wren and Rory Loy, Gianna Prevo, Nova, Royce, and Ila Westmoreland, Dawsyn and Gwen McElmeel, and Hugo Ghazali.

Step great-grandchildren, Delilah, Dean Jr., and Layklyn Dodson; Liam and Mila Woloszyn.

Surviving brothers and sister, Paul Kramer, Vera Steger, Walter (Hub) Kramer, and Gene (Dorothy) Kramer. In-laws, Mary Robey and Elaine Konzen.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband Frank; her parents Walter and Celeste Kramer; parents-in-law Francis and Elizabeth Konzen; brothers Earl and Leon Kramer; brother-in-law Alan Steger; sisters-in-law Patricia Kramer, Doris Kramer and Rosalyn Kramer; brothers-in-law Clarence, Jim, Fred, and Lloyd Konzen; sisters-in-law Lois and Mary Konzen, Ardell Craugh; brothers-in-law Elmer Robey and Carl Craugh; son-in-law N. John Prevo; nieces Shelly Kramer, Nancy Forler, and Doris Harbaugh; nephews Glen Steger and Larry O’Meara; and great nephews Zachary Kramer and Casey Craugh.

The family of Lois would like to extend their appreciation and thanks to the Cascade Volunteer Ambulance Service, the emergency staff and medical staff at Unity Point Hospital, and Hospice of Dubuque for the warm, compassionate, and loving care of our mother.