Lois Jean Vermillion

Lois Jean Vermillion, 85, loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed on to be w/her Heavenly Father on Monday, April 1, 2013. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, April 18, 2013 at the First Covenant Church, 422 S. Ohio Ave, Mason City, IA 50401 with the Rev. Steve Johnson officiating. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be sent to First Covenant Church, 422 S. Ohio Ave, Mason City, IA 50401 , Hospice Care of Mason City, 232 2nd St SE, Mason City, IA 50401 or to a charity of your choice. Lois Jean was born on an 80 acre farm two and one-half miles from Shenandoah, IA, October 16, 1927 – daughter of Hilda (Hendrickson) and Oscar Peterson, the youngest of five (two of whom had previously died). She attended a country school one and one-half miles from home, as did her older brother and sister. After graduating from Shenandoah High School in 1945, she got a job starting that summer at the local Earl May Garden’s radio station, KMA. She typed the daily log for announcers and assembled the continuity book each day. The station, on the air 19 hours/day, boasts such well-knowns as the Blackwood Brothers and the Everly family, where Don & Phil Everly got their musical start. She would chuckle to herself when people would tell her about getting the opportunity to hear the Blackwood Brothers sing and just think to herself, “What if they knew I knew them when…………?”. Anyone who knew Lois Jean knew how humble she was, but she told a story, complete with pictures, about her being chosen to ride on the Earl May float in the local parade one summer while working at KMA. After 7 years and working up to 75 cents/hr, she gave her boss one day’s notice and she married her handsome sweetheart, Dick Warner, on April 12 1952 at the Fremont Mission Church parsonage. Debbie was born July 12, 1953. Just six short months later, Dick died at age 28 during complications of an appendectomy in February, 1954. In order to be home with her baby, Lois Jean bought a type writer and stayed home to type labels for 1 cent each, making $5 per day. Along with Dick’s Social Security of $33/month, she got by. Lois Jean’s mother, Hilda, came to live w/her in her home on Sunset in Shenandoah to help her. Her friends played match-maker by inviting her to dinner one evening along with a fellow chiropractor friend of theirs. She met Vernon Overturf, from Red Oak, and a friendship ensued. They were married on January 1, 1956 and lived in a new home in Red Oak. Feeling very unhappy at the prospect of leaving her surroundings, she followed her husband as he started a practice in Mason City in June, 1956. Vernon was also the supply pastor at Nora Springs Evangelical United Brethren Church. He also served the Congregational Church at Rockwell. They were living at Clear Lake when a heart attack took Vernon from the family on August 29, 1973. Once more, Lois Jean was left alone. Once more she relied on her strong faith to get her through. She moved back to Mason City in May, 1975. Her face would glow as she recalled the dedicated commitment in taking care of her “mama” for 2 years prior to her death. Since that time, she worked at Nutri-Systems, Dean Huff Realty, Larson’s China & Gifts and Sears. She also found the time to volunteer w/Hospice as a grief counselor from 1982-1995. On April 25, 1993, she and Jack Vermillion married. They were asked out to dinner, separately, by mutual friends. The home they lived in in Mason City had a guest book for all to sign when they stopped by – both family and friends. She had a knack for arranging heirlooms from both families was apparent throughout their home. Jack passed away March 13, 2001. Lois Jean cared for him as long as she was able to in their home before he had to have Hospice care. There are so many memories of Lois Jean that some might be omitted. One memory that is a common thread amongst friends is of her cat, Socker (Soccer?). Lois Jean fed her throughout one winter and then invited her into their home to live. Some have said if you were lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the cat, but there were also those who were thankful it was such a secretive cat when company came around! Lois Jean’s fondness for sheep was in displays through her home. They reminded her of Jesus, the Good Shepherd. She loved to take pictures and put them away into scrapbooks to share w/visitors; travelling; bowling; riding her moped ; golfing; cross country skiing; snowmobiling; shopping – especially for bargains; spending time w/family and friends; decorating her home for holidays throughout the year; personalizing birthday cards and gifts; dressing up for Halloween; eating; chocolate and last, but not least, reading her Bible. Lois Jean is survived by daughter, Debbie L. Moyer, Iowa City, IA; granddaughters Emily (James) Reid and Chelsea (Timothy) Williams; great-granddaughters, Ally and Sydney Reid; great-grandson, Aidan Williams; stepdaughters, Sandy L. (Overturf) Hunter, Dougherty, IA and Karen (deceased); stepson, Ron Vermillion, Iowa City, IA; stepdaughter, Michelle (Frank) McDonald, Boise, ID; several step-grandsons and step-granddaughters; also several step great-grandchildren; nieces, Randi (Tsune) Kawakita, Kris (Ken) Korn, JoAnn Peterson; nephews, Dennis, Tony & Larry Peterson. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Inez, and her brother, Delaine. Lois Jean will also be missed by her dear and loving friends at church, Thursday morning coffees @ Pies & More, Tuesday morning Bible Study, the Manor, the community and all of the other activities in which she was so involved.

Cemetery:
Inurnment will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Lois Jean Vermillion memorial fund in care of the family.

Service:
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, April 18, 2013, at the First Covenant Church, HWY 122 at 411 South Ohio Ave., with Rev. Steve Johnson officiating.