Willer, Lois Maette 1931-2023

WILLER, SEARLS, ADAMS

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 12/25/2024 at 23:56:58

Note: Lois M. Willer was actually born the last child to John "Howard" and Mamie Christensen Searls but because her mother died after having her she was adopted by Howard's sister and her husband Barton and Elizabeth Searls Adams. If you will notice her brothers all have the last name Searls.

Lois M. Willer, 92 of Akron, Iowa, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on August 16, 2023, at Unity Point Hospital - St. Luke’s, Sioux City, IA.

Memorial Service will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 26, 2023, at Wesley United Methodist Church in Akron, IA. Private family burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Akron. Arrangements are with the Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars, Iowa.

Lois Maette Adams was born on April 26, 1931, in Akron, IA. She was the daughter of Barton A. and Elizabeth (Searls) Adams. Lois was raised on the family farm northeast of town. She attended country school near her family home. Lois was united in marriage to Harry Willer on November 8, 1953. The couple made their home and farmed northeast of Akron. There they raised three daughters. Her family was her greatest joy. Lois was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. After Harry passed away on October 1, 1992, Lois remained on the farm until 2019 when she moved to the town of Akron. Lois loved her small town of Akron and made many friendships there throughout her life. She was proud to have called Akron home until recently when she moved to Lawton Assisted Living in Lawton, IA.

Lois was a life-long member of Wesley United Methodist Church where she was baptized, confirmed, and married. She worked for 29 years at the Hawarden Regional Hospital in the dietary department. Lois was a Sunday school teacher, a member of the Methodist Women’s Circle, and a 4-H leader. She also enjoyed baking, reading, gardening, crafting, playing cards, and in her later years, doing puzzles. Most of all, Lois loved to dance and made many friends through the area dances she attended.

Lois is survived by her three daughters: LaVonne (Kevin) Byers of Kingsley, IA, Beth (Grady) Hansen of Papillion, NE, and Laura (Jerry) Solonynka of Papillion, NE; nine grandchildren: Leslie (Andrew) Kuntz, Ryan (Cecelia) Byers, Jason (Bracy) Byers, Michael Byers, Tyler (Jalyn) Hansen, Todd (Tiffany) Hansen, Trevor (Brittany) Hansen, Sarah Anderson, Emily Anderson; 17 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Lois is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harry; sisters: Anita Young, Dorothy Siebsen, and Carolyn Wenzel; brothers: Walter, Lloyd, Ervin, Alvin, Daniel, and Bill Searls; sisters-in-law: Edna Hueser and Alma Buys; brother-in-law: Lloyd Willer.

Rexwinkel Funeral Home
Akron, Iowa
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[Note from the volunteer poster]
I was watching a little of her funeral at Rexwinkel Funeral Home. I thought I should correct the record. She never was officially adopted Barton and Elizabeth Searls Adams just raised by them and they lived right next door so she (I'm guessing) saw her brothers and sisters all the time. I'm guessing Mr. Searls gave them to her to raise because she was only 3 lbs at birth, so I'm sure when it was time for her to go home he wouldn't have known how to raise her plus the other 9 children who already lived there. Also when she was born they had no incubator to keep her warm so they placed her in bed with a man who had had his appendix out so she could keep warm from his body heat.