Lois Gossen

Lois Francile Christensen was born on March 17, 1923, in Arco, MN, to Martinus and Myrtle (Abraham) Christensen. She grew up on a farm near Arco and graduated from Arco High School as class Valedictorian (and was currently the only survivor from her class.) After high school, Lois moved to Hershey Pennsylvania where she worked for the Hershey Chocolate Company. She later returned to Minneota and was married to William “Bill” Kaas. To this union were born nine children; Keith, Leslie “Butch,”Cleila “Sis,” Arlyce “Kay,” Vicki, Kevin, Roger, Twyla, and Kathy. Later, in 1960, Lois was married to Norman “Nick” Neisius. The couple had three children; Rose, Darla and Kristi. After Nick’s death in 1968, Lois went to work as a nurses’ aide at the Minneota Manor in Minneota. She later worked for 10 years on an assembly line for the Schwan Food Company. In 1979, Lois married Ray Gossen, who preceded her in death in 1996. Lois enjoyed sewing and crocheting. She also enjoyed cooking and baking and will be remembered for her homemade bread and rolls. She was an avid reader and in her later years, enjoyed trips to the casino. Lois was a longtime member of Hope Lutheran Church of Minneota and the VFW Auxiliary. She died on Friday, January 21, 2011, at the Minneota Manor in Minneota. She is survived by her children Keith Kaas of Apple Valley, Butch (and Sheryl) Kaas of Minneota, Sis (and Paul) Fonteyn of Minneota, Kay (and Ron) Gillund of Cary, IL, Vicki Kaas of Sioux Falls, SD, Kevin Kaas of Westbrook, Roger Kaas of Minneota, Twyla (and Greg) Hennen of Ghent, Kathy (and Curt) Ireland of Roseau, Rose (and Gordy) Van Uden of Minneota, Darla (and Kurt) Vaughn of Amherst, NH, Kristi (and Mel) Breyfogle of Taunton, 28 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, siblings Geraldine Brun of Tyler, Al Christensen of Tyler, Val Donna Jensen of Nevis and sister-in-law Betty Christensen of Tyler, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husbands, sister June James, brother Verlane Christensen and three great-grandchildren.