Lois Jeanne Statz

Lois Jeanne Statz, age 97, of Storm Lake, Iowa died Wednesday, September 18, 2024 at Buena Vista Regional Medical Center in Storm Lake. Funeral services will take place Thursday, September 26, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Storm Lake. Burial will be in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Storm Lake. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the CHURCH. In lieu of flowers, please direct donations to Elderbridge.org. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements. Lois Jeanne Cole was born December 21, 1926, to Robert and Julia (Pierce) Cole in Hawarden, Iowa. Her life was shaped by growing up as the youngest of eight on a large farm in Hudson, South Dakota, where she happily enjoyed all chores, especially those that took her outside. The nearby Little Sioux River was part of her playground with ice skating, sledding, and swimming. Jeanne went to school in Hudson, graduating in 1944. During the war she worked for one year in Omaha, Nebraska for Mutual of Omaha. She vividly remembered VE Day, with all the church bells ringing and the glorious celebrations. Jeanne earned degrees from the University of Northern Iowa Teacher College at Cedar Falls, Iowa and at Buena Vista College. Teaching was Jeanne's passion. She touched the lives of many students in Rolfe, Storm Lake, and Schaller. Jeanne taught for over forty years before retiring from teaching in 1991. It was through teaching that she met her future husband when she took her second-grade class to tour the radio station in Storm Lake. Jeanne married Harold Matthew Statz, well-known as Andy Lynn, on June 23, 1950 in Hawarden, Iowa. Jeanne and Andy had five children: Margaret Ann (Peg), Mark Steven, David Michael, Daniel Robert, and Thomas Patrick. Upon the death of Daniel, Jeanne and Andy happily accepted the role of raising their grandson, Tony. Jeanne was an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. She was a long-time member of Catholic Daughters of America, Guild, and the Prayer Line. Jeanne enjoyed traveling. Among her many albums were photos from Europe, Taiwan, South Carolina and the Black Hills. But her biggest was family. She reveled in picnics, family gatherings, holidays and games. Jeanne is survived by her children: Peg Nicolay of Germany; Mark Statz of Ames, Iowa; David (Teodora) Statz of Storm Lake, Iowa; Thomas (Winona) Statz of San Diego, California; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; extended family and friends.

Lois Jeanne Statz

December 21, 1926 - September 18, 2024