Lois Stearns, 95, of Wells, MN passed away on September 30, 2023. Funeral Service is Tuesday, October 10, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Nasinec Funeral Home in Wells, MN. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. (10:00 to 11:00 AM). Nasinec Funeral Home in Wells is entrusted with arrangements. Please see www.nasinecfh.com to leave online condolences.
Lois was born on February 8, 1928 in Milwaukee, WI. She attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison, and became a published research meteorologist working in the Atmospheric, Physics and Chemistry Lab for NOAA in Boulder, CO. Her work included sending scientific instruments up with Skylab, the United States’ first space station, and research into infrared radiation and clear-air turbulence.
Lois retired in 1988 and bought a farm near Wells, MN. Her greatest pleasure upon retirement was giving forever homes to geriatric horses, dogs, cats and rabbits. Over her lifetime, she has cared for 22 horses, 10 dogs, 42 cats and numerous rabbits. She also loved fishing and hiking in the north woods of Wisconsin where she had vacationed as a child.
Lois is survived by her daughters, Irene Cartwright (Rick), Jo Anne Kraayenhof (Dennis) and Betty Schacht; three grandchildren, Brent Stearns, Sydney Schacht and Celia Schacht, and three step-grandchildren, Todd Kraayenhof (Lauri), Kyle Kraayenhof, and Nick Cartwright.
Lois was always fun to visit with. She always had interesting stories from her past that she liked to talk about. Fly high Lois
You’re all in my thoughts and prayers!! Thank you for the honor of caring for your mother! She was quite the lady! What an amazing life. 💕
I did not know your Mother, but I wanted to first say I am sorry for your loss. Losing your mother is so very hard. I also wanted to say that I was so impressed by your Mother’s achievements, especially for a woman at the time. Her contribution to the future of science and the stepping stones of women in science is something your whole family should be proud of. I am sure that you don’t think about her that way really, but know she made a difference in a lot of women’s lives that she never even knew!
Hugs to you all.