March 17, 1932 - June 14, 2020
Lois Patricia Andersen
Age 88, of Richfield, MN died on June 14, 2020, after a three-week battle with Covid19. Greeting her with open arms is her beloved husband of 59 years, William “Bill” Andersen, her son Joe and son-in-law, Russell Smith. Carrying on her legacy are her proud children, Mary Pat Smith, Beth (Scott Alpaugh), Paul (Karen Kooda), Martha (Dan Conners), Rob (Ann), Amy (Tony Baregi), and Sara (John Ince) (daughter-in-law), her cherished and well-loved grandchildren, Eric and Angie (Andie Mazorol) Andersen, Rachael Smith, Jeff (Tami) Alpaugh, Megan (Sam Beuch), and Zach Alpaugh, Nathan, Katie, Jeremy, Michael, Emily, and Maggie Conners, Bridget, Molly (Nathan Bittner), Tom (Catherine), and Will Andersen, Tony (Terese), Willy (Lauren) and Annie Baregi, and her treasured great-grandchildren, Ginnifer, Peyton, Elliot, baby-to-be Baregi and baby-to-be Beuch. Also survived by her brother Dale (Kathy) Hennessy, and many nieces, nephews, and faithful friends. Born to William “Harry” and Edna Hennessy in Minot, ND on March 17, 1932 (Is there a better reason to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?) they moved to Minneapolis in 1941. Lois graduated from Roosevelt HS, attended the College of St. Catherine’s, and went on to work at Donaldson Dept Store where she not only was the Junior Dress buyer but more importantly, met the love of her life, Bill. After years at home raising her children (and volunteering on numerous school, church, and Archdiocesan committees), she found a second career as a Children’s Librarian in Hennepin County. She was passionate about spreading her love of reading to little ones, and devoted many hours to helping improve the literacy of those in the community. While she enjoyed and excelled in her careers, her most treasured vocation was being a mom, grandma, and great-grandma. The consummate host, nothing pleased her more than being able to set a beautiful table and cook a delicious meal for her family and friends. She relished this time spent with family and friends, and any birthday, Feast Day, or life event was cause for a party in her book.
To honor Lois, we invite you to bake a pan of bars, invite friends over, and read a book to a child. Memorials preferred to Assumption Catholic Church or Blessed Trinity Catholic School for their Library Fund.
The family would like to thank Brighton Hospice for helping us navigate mom’s final days, as well as extend a very special thank you to Dr. Maas and his staff at Bluestone Physicians and the staff at The Commons on Marice, especially mom’s very favorite aide, Shewaye, for the love, care, and dignity they gave to her these last five years.
A Celebration of Life will be planned for a later date. Due to COVID-19 limitations, a family only Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 am on Monday, June 29, 2020, at Assumption Catholic Church, 305 E 77th St., Richfield, MN, with burial to immediately follow.
Lois Andersen Mass of Christian Burial
Lois Andersen Worship Aid
Hugs to all the Andersen clan. Thanks for sharing your mom’s love with our family.
My mom and her always had something up their sleeves. I still chuckle about sneaking in a bottle of champagne into The Commons for dinner on my moms birthday. None of us knew how to open it so a 16 year old waitress opened it for us.
We laughed so hard.
Of course who can ever forget the birthday parties the two of them threw for each other☘️ Irish Coffee for breakfast !
Oh the memories will sustain all of us and you and will make us laugh between our tears. Her and Bill are together forever.
What a legend you have to follow! She was so generous and kind to all. I love the idea of making bars. She was excellent at that! I will head out right now to tead a book!
A treasured friend and a respected colleague. Lois and I worked together for many years at the Oxboro Library. Rest in peace wonderful lady. Condolences to all the family that she so loved and was so proud of. Mary Wilson
Hello Andersen family. My heart goes out to all of you in the loss of Lois. I had the pleasure of fixing her hair for many years, lots of great conversations that almost always revolved around her family and lots of good laughs together. She was a classy lady.
What an honor to know Lois and be welcomed into her family. Everyone was!
I will remember her for the way she made me feel special even in a crowd of people. I will remember what an excellent cook she was and her thirst for learning surrounded by books. I’ll remember the sparkle in her laugh. I’m so grateful she gave me a friend in Mary. Lois passed on so many of her wonderful traits to Mary!
I’m sorry to all you wonderful Andersen’s for your loss.
My deepest condolences to you all. Such a lovely legacy.
May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face. May the rain fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand. ✝️
I worked as a clerk with Lois at Augsburg Park Library in the late 70’s while she was getting her Library degree. She was a delightful person to work with! I always wondered where she got all that energy! I thought of her often when I went to any library, drove by Augsburg Park, or attended school events for my grandkids at Holy Angels. I was sorry to read of her passing.
Growing up in Assumption Parish, I feel as though I knew Lois all my life. I remember her working at the Augsburg Park Library, always being so friendly. I was lucky enough to eventually have her as a colleague as a Youth Services Librarian in HCL. Yes, she definitely had a passion for children and literacy–and really made a difference in the lives of those she touched! We connected in the past couple years at the Commons, where I sometimes presided at Communion Services and brought her the Eucharist. She still had that same sparkle! Condolences to the entire Andersen family. Mary (Weber) Severson
please accept my sympathies upon the death of your mother. Lois and Bill’s passing hits me as a true passing of the guard. Their rock solid Catholic values made them pillars of the Assumption and Richfield communities. I pray that those of us who remain can carry on their legacy with our own families. Your parents were such good people and outstanding examples for all of us to follow.Lois was upbeat with a smile on her face and it seemed like she was always doing something for someone else. Individual stories do not stand out, but her essence and spirit remain alive with me. May God be with you during this difficult time.
I first met Lois when Joe and John started first grade at Assumption together in their grey long sleeved shirts and long pants with blue neckties , sort of a “little criminal” look.
We shared a family friendship which is treasured. Love to all of you from the Wesselmans. I My recipe box is still full of “Lois Andersen” contributions. Prayers. Janet Wesselman Saggau .
So sorry for your loss. I have memories of many childhood family group outings and dinners at the Andersen home. Lois hosted my wedding shower with those family friends 29 years ago! God Bless. Julie Wesselman Surprenant
There was always something fun going on at the Andersen household. Bill & Lois raised a fantastic family.
The entire Cramp family would like to extend our condolences to the Andersen Family as you celebrate Lois’ beautiful life. She and Bill were a fantastic team and together they created, in you, a lasting legacy of family and faith. We truly looked forward to our childhood visits to your home from the east coast where there was so much energy and family activity. Lois always made you feel as if you were the only person in the room. Her calm, grounded demeanor served her well and will continue to live through you. My father and mother, Ken and Marion had so much respect for Lois and Bill. Again. Our condolences to you and the entire family.
It was an honor to work with Lois at Hennepin County Library. We learned a lot from Lois and we sure had fun!!!!!!!!
That was a beautiful funeral service today. All of you made your mother, grandmother and great-grandmother very proud of you this morning. My Mom was right there with you via the Zoom meeting. She appreciated it so much when you mentioned her. Lois really was her best friend in the world. Thank you, and God Bless Lois!
Mrs Anderson (as I called her) never stopped being a treasured person in my life. I am grateful to have known her my entire life. I admired her, looked up to her and she made me smile deep in my soul. I have one special memory of many. When I graduated from high school, there were parties all over in our Richfield/Assumption community. I didn’t have a party one for different reasons, mostly because I didn’t go to high school in the area so I didn’t many friends in the area. I didn’t see a reason to have a party when all my classmates where far away. So I quietly graduated from High School and came back to Richfield for the summer. I remember I was at Lois’ youngest daughter Amy’s graduation party who was in my class all through Assumption school when Lois pulled me aside and gave me a box, nicely wrapped with a bow on it. The name on the card was my name. It was a graduation present for me! I was touched and felt so special. She alway made me feel that way. I will miss her and can only imagine how the Andersen family must feel.