Lois Irene McGovern
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A Memorial Mass for Lois Irene McGovern, 90, of Lawrence, will be held at 6:00 p.m. Monday, January 27, 2020, at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Lawrence. A rosary will be said prior to the Mass at 5:00 p.m. on Monday. Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 28, 2020, at Leavenworth National Cemetery in Leavenworth, KS. Lois passed away Wednesday, January 1, 2020, at Hillside Village of De Soto, KS. She was born on November 17, 1929 in Colorado Springs, CO, the daughter of Nelse and Irene H. (Neer) Peterson.
Lois attended Colorado College in Colorado Springs, CO, and was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. She met Hal McGovern at CC and they were married on February 26, 1949, in Colorado Springs, CO. He preceded her in death on July 5, 1997. She is survived by their eight children: Kathy Spicer (Tom), Loveland, CO, Cheryl Messerschmidt (Kelvin), Lawrence, KS, Dan McGovern (Teresa), Mukilteo, WA, Beth Dechant (Darrell), St. Louis, Mo, Colin McGovern (Jodi), Aurora, CO, Ken McGovern (Beckie), Lawrence, KS, Cindy O’Toole, Lawrence, KS, Pam Aubry (Steve), Longmont, CO, and 21 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren.
Also surviving are a sister, Lee Turner, nephews Brian Peterson (Cindy), George Kemper, John McGovern (Dar), Marty McGovern, Andy Rice (Chris), Mike Rice (Linette), Steve Rice (Leslie) and Cienna Morey.
Lois worked as an office secretary at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Garden City, KS and later in the Finney County Clerk’s office from 1968 to 1972. After the family move to Lawrence, she was an Administrative Officer for the Douglas County Clerk’s Office until retiring in 1993.
Lois was also an active member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church, involved with the Altar Society, a weekly spiritual book club, a founding member of the Serra Club, helped with funeral dinners, and served as Eucharistic Minister. Lois and Hal were on the building committee for the new church in 1981 and 1997. In addition, Lois was an active in the American Legion Auxiliary and other community services.
Lois had many talents and hobbies over the years, including family camping, singing and playing piano, exceptional seamstress work, knitting, needle point and gardening. She never met a stranger so was a surrogate mother, friend, and grandmother to hosts family nieces, nephews and her children’s friends.
Lois was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother, Donald Peterson, niece Kristen Peterson Kemper.
Memorials may be made in her name to Douglas County Visiting Nurses (Hospice) and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.
Our heartfelt prayers are with all the family at this sorrowful time . Knowing she has reached her glorious reward is comforting. Please know that she will be missed and remembered.
Thinking of you Ken
Ken, Becky and family we are so sorry to read of the loss of your mother and grandmother. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Ken & Family
Sorry for your loss
Thoughts are with y’all
Thinking of all of you. I am so glad that you have so many fond memories of such a special lady. Lois’s smile could light up a room and we are all better for knowing her. God Bless. Love, Quintin Shields and Tracy Rose
Lois was a strong and insightful woman because faith was her foundation for life. She impacted many lives including my own – I will miss her.
Thinking of you all during this tough time. We adore Grandmother and know how hard it is to let the good ones go. We will forever remember her warm smile and kind heart. She was an amazing lady. Sending you all the love in the world & praying for your family.
So sorry to hear this. Hoping for the best for all involved.
Kenny, was sorry to read this. I never really knew your mother, but she sounds like a very delightful, and talented person. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Ken and family.
Thoughts and prayers in your time of loss.
Ken and family,
Our condolences to you and the family. Our prayers are with you during this difficult time.
To Ken and the McGovern family,
I’m very sorry for your loss.
I always enjoyed talking with Lois when she worked for Douglas County.
Ken and Beckie and family….I am so sorry to hear of this loss. I remember her smile and what a nice lady she was. When I lost my Mom at 93 years young, I missed her horribly (still do!) and through the tears, the only thing that has brought me comfort time and time again is
to be thankful and to count my many blessings that were ours. Love and Peace to you!
Ken and the McGovern family.
Sorry for your loss, thoughts and prayers to the McGovern family. Lot’s of happy memories to reflect on!
Ken, Beckie and family —
Dad and I are so very sorry to hear that Lois passed away. Lois was a very, very sweet lady and a pleasure to visit with, always. Thoughts and prayers go out to all of you at this very difficult time. Peace be with you and God bless.
Harlan “Sweed” Sweeten and Rosie Sweeten
McGovern family, we are very sorry for your loss. Please know you are all in our thoughts & prayers.
Ken and Beckie,
My prayers of comfort for the McGovern family.
Your Mother had to have been a very special lady to raise a Son like you, Ken. God Bless you my friend!
Ken, I am so sorry for your loss. I enjoyed your Mom so much!
Linda Votaw (Nelson)
Ken and Becky,
We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. My you find comfort in your memories of her.
So sorry for your loss, in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless
Steve and Colleen Butell
Ken,sorry to see loss of your mother! Your in our thoughts and prayers.
So very sorry for your loss. Prayers for the whole family.
We are so sorry for your loss! Our prayers and thoughts are with the family!
Ken and McGovern family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all as you grieve the loss of your precious mother. It’s hard no matter what one’s age to lose one’s parent. We did not know your mother but the attributes for her speak volumes of how she left a legacy for her family and everyone she came in contact with during her life. Peace and comfort to you all. With deepest empathy, Mark & Betty Currie
Ken, Beckie, Randi, Nick, and Kirby,
We are saddened to hear of the loss of your mother and grandmother. She was a wonderful lady, who raised some wonderful children and grandchildren. May all your fond memories of carry you through this difficult time and beyond.
Our prayers are with you!
The Bellinger Family
Kelvin, Kristy (Wempe), and Kennisyn
So sorry for your loss. Lois was a sweet lady and a loving mother.
Prayers for peace as you go forward.
Blessings:
Marilyn Malson
Ken, so sorry to hear about your mother. Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Dear Ken, Beckie, Nick. Kirby and Randi,
Please know our family is sending up prayers for you. Ken, you must have made your mother so very proud. We pray that you all will continue to feel her presence through the love she will always be sending you. May God hold you tightly and give you peace.
Our love and prayers,
Lynn and Steve Segebrecht
Heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the McGovern families. I will always cherish fond memories of Mr. and Mrs. McGovern and their children, from my days at LHS, St. John The Evangelist Church, Corpus Christi Church, Rusty’s IGA (neighborhood grocery store), and my days at USGS working w/ Mr. McGovern. May God’s blessings be upon all of you.
My condolences Pam to you and your entire family. The love you and your whole family had for your mother lives on forever. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love,
Cynthia
What a lovely picture of Lois that captures her joyous spirit. To the whole family we send our condolences. Lois was a good neighbor who always had time to talk and always invited us to stop in for a beverage. We just wish she did not have to endure pain and we will miss her and remember her fondly. Our prayers to you as you celebrate her life. Kris Hicks and Pat.
Our condolences to you and your family, Ken.
Just wanted you to know that I am very sorry for the loss of your mother. I helped take care of her at Hillside. I always enjoyed talking with her she was so sweet and very kind.
Trish Hadl Gifford