Lois M. Pfister

Lois Pfister, age 87, passed away peacefully on July 23, 2024 with family by her side as a result of her abdominal aortic aneurysm. She was born on December 14, 1936, in Madison, WI, the daughter of Ernest and Mildred Jackson. She attended St. James grade school and is a graduate of Edgewood High School in 1955 and Edgewood College in 1959.

Lois married Jerry Pfister on June 29, 1957 at Queen of Peace church in Madison. They were best friends who spent all their time with one another. Together they loved to travel and she did a wonderful job planning their 5 trips to Europe in the 1970’s and 80’s, which were always 3 weeks long. From 1998 through 2019 they enjoyed spending winter months in Yuma, AZ, where they often went for hikes with their grandchildren in the desert and she began her hobby of woodcarving. They always looked forward to spending a week each summer at a cottage in northern Wisconsin with family, enjoying games both indoor and outdoor. Most recently they celebrated their 67th anniversary with family at the cottage.

After raising their 4 children until elementary age in Sun Prairie, Lois started her teaching career. She taught at Eastside Elementary for 21 years. This was her life-long passion. After retiring in 1994 she continued teaching throughout her life, with her grandchildren and even in her dreams. Faith was very important to Lois and she prioritized it all her life. Her deep love of God was evident in teaching catechism and always felt by her family. She was an accomplished wood carver and gardener. In addition to those talents she enjoyed playing bridge, reading and crafting. She was an avid Wisconsin sports fan and especially loved watching her grandkids compete in various sporting events. She was a proud grandmother and enjoyed spending time with all 9 of her grandchildren. Family gatherings were very important to her. She always did a wonderful job preparing meals and of course desserts (her family will be enjoying the desserts she already made for an upcoming gathering). Volunteering was another passion of hers. Lois volunteered with many organizations, primarily with the Oscar Mayer READI group from its beginning in 1993 until this date.

Lois is survived by her husband Jerry; children: Mark (Carlos), of Phoenix, AZ, David (Rick) of Madison, WI, Terri (Brian) Koch of Hermosa Beach, CA and Janet (Mark) Hemauer of DeForest, WI; 9 grandchildren: Bennett, Curt (Aline), Kyle, Jose, Alli, Lucas, Jackson, Cheyenne and Brody: great grandchildren: Hisham and Amara; siblings: Judy Brown and Michael (Nancy) Jackson. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Joanne Thuesen, brother-in-law John Thuesen and Roger Brown.

Visitation will be held from 10-11:00 am on Friday, August 9, 2024 at St. Albert the Great Catholic Church, 2420 St. Albert the Great Drive, Sun Prairie, WI 53590 with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11:00 AM. A luncheon will immediately follow the Mass. Lois will be brought to her final place of rest in a private service at Sacred Hearts Cemetery in Sun Prairie. Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations may be made to one of Lois’ favorite charities including The Beacon in Madison, St. Labre Indian (St. Labre Indian School | Help Keep the Miracle Alive (stlabre.org) )  School, National Parks Conservation Association, or the American Heart Association.

Please direct any flower orders to: Klein's Floral and Greenhouse.

Cress Funeral Service

1310 Emerald Terrace

Sun Prairie, WI 53590

608-837-9054