Lois L. Oelfke

Lois Louise (Svenkesen) Oelfke born October 26, 1932 to Willie and Margaret (Corbett) Svenkesen passed away Tuesday, August 5, 2025 at Oak Crossing in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.

Lois graduated from Frazee High School class of 1950. She married Clarence Oelfke July 18, 1952 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Height of Land. Clarence and Lois moved to California for work After the birth of Suzanne they moved back to Minnesota. They lived in several towns in Minnesota following Clarence’s work, until settling in Frazee, Minnesota. They were blessed with five daughters, Sue, Teri, Brenda, Tammy and Emy.

A few years after Clarence’s death in December of 1974, Lois moved to Detroit Lakes and graduated from Vocational School. Lois then went to work for the Becker County DMV until she retired.

Lois was multi-talented and easily learned many professions. As a master seamstress she made more wedding, bridesmaid, prom, homecoming dresses and cheerleading outfits than can be counted. The Frazee Homecoming Queen robe and the Marching Band banner were also created by Lois.

As a florist, first with her own business and then with Donna at Floral Impressions, she crafted many bouquets and hundreds of corsages. She also made and decorated many wedding cakes.

She loved telling people about her years as an “escort”, driving pilot car for Dynamic Homes.

Lois is survived by her daughters, Suzanne Hass, Teri (Dave) Osterman, Brenda (Gene) Houts, Tammy (Jeff) Chelmo, and Emy (Steve Watson) Hanson. Her grandchildren, Joshua Hass, Justin (Cathy) Osterman, Ryan (Kristy) Osterman, Andrea (Nick) Marts, Bryan (Danielle) Houts, Lyndsey Hays, Rome’ (Amy) Chelmo, Joseph (Hallie) Chelmo, Jonathon Chelmo, Corissa DuRose, Kiera (Dan) Wood, Jayden Hanson, and Dulton Hanson. Lois has 21 great grandchildren and 7 great-greats.

Lois has one sister Caroline (Curt) Briggs, a sister-in-law Velette Svenkesen, brother-in-law Cecil (Kathy) Oelfke, and many nieces, nephews and close friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sisters Evelyn and Barbara, brothers Butch, Bill and Wally, and three grandsons Javis, Caleb and Zachary.

Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at Faith Lutheran Church in Detroit Lakes. Pastor Paul Larson will officiate and burial will be at Mount Olive Cemetery in Detroit Lakes. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at the church on Wednesday. Arrangements are entrusted to David Donehower Funeral Home in Detroit Lakes.