Lois I. Carroll

Lois Irene Carroll, 84, of O'Neill, died Sunday, April 3, 2022 at Faith Regional Hospital in Norfolk.

Visitation was held Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill with a prayer service. 

Funeral services were held Wednesday, April 13, 2022 at Faith Community Church in O'Neill.  Rev. Paul Harder officiated. 

Burial was in the O'Neill Cemetery in O'Neill.

Memorials may be made to the family for future designation.

Born Nov. 10, 1937 in Rockford, Iowa, Lois was the cherished daughter of Bob and Dorothy Cerwinske.  She spent much of her childhood on her parents' farm, but because of Lois's severe allergies her dad leased the farm and moved the family to Phoenix, AZ.

She attended Phoenix Union High School and found she really loved all the opportunities this ginormous school provided. She worked hard and flourished there. Of 900 students in her senior class, Lois ranked sixth academically. She especially enjoyed being a part of the band, where she played the oboe and clarinet.  

She continued her education at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa, but only long enough to meet a very special person. One day as she walked into a classroom to take her entrance exams, a young man noticed this beautiful woman. He waited for her to finish her test so he could meet her. They went out for coffee that day, and in just six months were married. They were married July 23, 1960, in the Little Brown Church in the Vale in Nashua, Iowa. They moved to O'Neill, and God blessed Bob and Lois with three daughters.

Married with three children, Lois remained determined to earn her college degree. For six consecutive summers she packed up her three young daughters and a babysitter and drove to Lincoln. In 1970 she graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a bachelor of science degree in elementary education and social science. Her passion for teaching spanned over 29 years in the public school system. Lois's heart was for the struggling student, and she put her efforts and abilities into helping them achieve success. The challenges and the reward of success for those students brought her much pleasure.

Lois's greatest love and confidence was in her Savior Jesus. She leaned on Him through the good and bad days and found her comfort, joy and peace in Him alone.  There was always a Bible on her desk and children's Bibles were available for students in her classroom. Each morning Lois and her students began their school day in prayer.

Lois believed that God directed her to retire in 1991, but her passion for teaching reading never ended. She created her own reading program, marketed and promoted it and continued tutoring students throughout her life.

She delighted in her 10 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Each Christmas she spent hours and hours writing personal letters to each one.

Mom loved her family well. All you had to do was ask, and she was there to help, to heal, to pray, to love. We miss her so much. So many memories, so many stories to tell of the sacrifices this precious woman made but there is just not enough space here.

Lois went home to be with her Creator and Lord Sunday, April 3, 2022.  God gave her 84 years. She lived them with kindness and love, passion, perseverance, commitment and sacrifice in serving her family and friends.

Lois is survived by her beloved husband of 61 years Bob Carroll; three daughters Gwen (Bryan) Compton, Jennifer and Chris (Chuck) Bergmann; 10 grandchildren Katy Compton, Erin Compton, Clay Compton, Jacob Abbott, Whitney Abbott, Sydney Abbott, John Bergmann, Hannah Bergmann, Elizabeth Bergmann and Naomi Bergmann; seven great-grandchildren Kyla Abbott, Grace Gale, Judah Gale, Quinn Conley, Shane Harp, Tucker Gale and Maverick Abbott; one sister-in-law Marilyn Shelhamer; and nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Robert and Dorothy (Boone) Cerwinske, one brother Allan (Nancy) Cerwinske, one niece Tara Cerwinske and one brother–in-law Paul Shelhamer.           15

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