Born in Oklahoma on October 2, 1922, she grew up the youngest of four children born to Nell and Jesse Easter, who were sharecroppers.

 

She endured The Dust Bowl Era and The Great Depression and often regaled her children with stories of hard times and picking cotton as a child.

 

Following high school Lois attended business college in Oklahoma.  Upon graduation she went to Washington, D.C. and worked at the War Department (now the Pentagon).  During World War II she moved to California, along with her mother, and they both worked in an airplane plant, contributing to the war effort; thereby joining the ranks of "The Greatest Generation."  While in California she married William R. White and had two children, Jim and Pat.

 

In 1952 she married Albert Riecken and moved to a farm on Camp Lake, outside Clear Lake, Minnesota.  They had three children - Terry, Randy and Denise.

 

When the children were all in school Lois worked as a health records secretary for the St. Cloud Public Schools.  In 1975 she ran for public office and was elected as Sherburne County Treasurer, a job she held until 1993 when she retired.  She continued to serve on the State of Minnesota PERA board for several more years.  She was active in civic, political and church affairs, playing a significant role as one of the founding members of Rejoice Lutheran Church of Clearwater, Minnesota.

 

Lois loved traveling, reading, sewing, cooking (who can forget her fried chicken?), entertaining, gardening and playing cards.  However, her greatest love was of family and friends.

 

Lois was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers - Herman, Henry and Homer; and her husband, Al Riecken.  She is survived by her five children, Jim (Carol) Riecken of Andover, MN; Pat (Fred Sanford) of Bemidji, MN; Randy Riecken of Coronado, CA; Terry Riecken and Denise Waling of Milpitas, CA.  She was blessed with ten grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.  Numerous nieces and nephews, along with her beloved sister-in-law, Dorothy Easter, will also miss her.

 

Her wake will be in Clear Lake at the Williams Dingmann Funeral Home from 6-8 p.m. on May 8, 2014, and her funeral will be at Rejoice Lutheran Church in Clearwater on Friday, May 9 at 11:00.  You may, if you wish, honor Lois' memory by giving to the Endowment Fund of Rejoice Lutheran Church, 1155 Cty Rd. 75 NW, Clearwater, MN 55320.

Obituary and Guest Book available online at: www.williamsdingmann.com