Lois R. Dawley

Lois R. Dawley, 90, of Munich, ND, passed away Tuesday, December 20, 2022, at Maple Manor Care Center in Langdon, ND.

Lois Rojean Wirth Dawley was born December 30, 1931, in Munich, ND, the youngest child of Michael and Martha (Janowski) Wirth. Lois graduated in 1949 from Munich High School and worked for a year as a teacher’s assistant in Egeland, ND. Lois married Vincent Dawley on July 31,1950, in Munich at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. They lived on their farm and raised six children. Lois always had bountiful vegetable and flower gardens and spent many hours canning and freezing produce for her family. She was the chief grain hauler, cook and managed to keep an immaculate house. Lois was an avid quilt maker, creating a graduation and wedding masterpiece for each child and grandchild.

In 1984, Lois and Vin built a home in Munich and hosted various family gatherings and celebrations. Lois was an active community member involved with Christian Mothers, Altar Society at St. Mary’s Catholic Church and the Munich Rural Fire and Ambulance Service. She and her husband, Vin, were also proud members of the Sarles American Legion Post 276 and the American Legion Auxiliary.

Lois treasured her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The visits to Grandma’s house were filled with hugs, kisses, Tic Tacs, homemade ice cream and other goodies. Following her daughter, Luann’s, death in 2008, Lois helped care for her granddaughters ages 2, 5, and 9. Family was the cornerstone of her life.

Lois and Vin were able to celebrate milestone anniversaries with their family: the 25th, 40th, 50th and 60th. They would travel to visit their children as their families celebrated births, sacraments, graduations, sports and other special events. Vin died in 2015, and Lois remained in their home in Munich through the Fall of 2022. 

She is survived by daughter Bonnie (Mark) Hanson of Chelan, WA, and children Erik (great-grandchildren Marley and Laili) and Marit (Ward Vuillemot); son Kevin (Debbie) Dawley of Munich, ND, and children Kyle (Teresa) (great-grandchildren Marlowe and Porter), Courtney (great-grandchildren Kingston and Truett), and Gretchen (Yves Muya) (great-grandson Jones); daughter Donna (Gerry) Gannon of Everett, WA and children Travis (Amanda), Kelsey (Emanuel), and Kayla (Andy) Gilbert (great-grandchildren Everett, Brooks, and Reese); daughter Diane (Brad) Barth of Devils Lake, ND and children Tara (Chris Creighton) (great-granddaughter Lily), Tyler and Trevor; daughter Marti (Greg) DeBilzan of Lino Lakes, MN, and daughters Anna and Julie; son-in-law Steve Ashpole (husband of Luann) of Edinburg, ND, and daughters Haley (Evan) Emerson, Grace and Clare. She was preceded in death by her husband, Vin; daughter Luann; brothers: Victor (Esther )Wirth, Lester (Leona and Rose) Wirth and Norman (Nora) Wirth; and sisters: Loretta (Marcel Mathieu and Alphonse) Hiltner, Francis Wirth, Beatrice (Bud) Houghton, Geraldine (Joe) Tholkes, Madelyn (Michael) Hoffmann, Martha Rose (David) Henderson and Valery (Harold) Hudson.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 31, 2022, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Munich, ND. Visitation will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service starting at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, December 30, 2022, at the church.