Lois Mae (Weir) Schirm/Ducett was born February 25, 1921 in Shellsburg, IA. Raised on the farm with three brothers and two sisters, all preceding her in death, by Phena and Robert Weir she met Lester Schirm during high school. After a “romantic” proposal in the corn crib they were married December 20, 1941. They had five children, all of whom survive her; Lindy, Judy, Jerry, Denny and Cindy. She was preceded in death by Les in 1997.
Lindy is enjoying his retirement by dividing his time between Colorado Springs and Phoenix with Theresa. Son, Brian and his wife, Amanda, and their two children Kyler (3) and Rylan (1) live in Colorado Springs. Daughter, Lisa preceded Lois in death leaving behind her three children Tressa (18), Katie (15), and John Michael (13).
Judy Heiser is self-employed and lives in Colorado Springs. Son, Kurt and his wife, Julie, and their two daughters Caitlin (14) and Brooke (8) and Judy’s daughter, Tina and her daughter, Kayleigh (14) also live in Colorado Springs.
Jerry and JoAnne live in Phoenix where Jerry retires repeatedly but mostly plays golf while Jo is enjoying cross country walk/runs and her new retirement. Son, Chris and his wife Nicole and two children Georgia (2) and Theo (6 months) are currently serving with the State Department in Benin, Africa. Son, Benjy and his wife Danielle live in Rapid City while Danielle finishes her residency and Benjy finishes law school.
Denny is living in Tucson while his son, Gabe and wife Amy live in Denver. Gabe is busy launching a tech company and working for himself while Amy is a social worker.
Cindy and Rich Tupper live in Colorado Springs and are both still working full-time. Their three children Heath, Nikki and her husband Ray and two children Connor (4) and Maddie (2) and Breanna and husband Jonathan all live in Colorado Springs.
If you are counting that is five children, 9 grandchildren (8 surviving) and 12 greats.
In July of 2008 she married Bob Ducett who brought with him three new daughters LuAnn, Renee and Kris and their ten children. LuAnne and her four children, Sonny (14), Juliette (11), Babette (8) and Yvette (6) live in Colorado Springs. Renee and husband Kevin and children Zoe (13) and Zachary (10) live in Illinois. Kris and husband Dan and children Hannah (20), Summer (18), Danny (16) and Hallela (9) live in California.
Lois has always enjoyed dancing, playing cards, friends and family. Her favorite times were sitting at the dining room table playing games (usually some type of rummy) with the grandkids. One of the most critical discussions among the grandkids since her passing is who will take on grandma’s role of rule manipulator during game nights. You see, grandma never “cheated” but she did have a tendency to change the rules to suit her situation; although she denied that as well. Of late her more profitable pastime was BINGO. Any time it was offered she would be found participating. At a quarter a game her coin purse grew until it was too heavy to carry. She would then take the quarters to Cripple Creek and splurge.
We all have so many memories involving everything from sewing, knitting, golf and dancing to cooking. She also loved to eat: as long as it was meat and potatoes. For as long as most of us can remember, to her, corn and peas were the only eatable vegetables. Her last meal, of course, included only mashed potatoes.
Wednesday evening, November 25, after fighting for a week with, what we found out Monday to be, pneumonia, Lois peacefully took her final breath on this side of heaven. Lois had some indication that the end was near as she repeatedly mentioned that she was ready to go be with her brothers and sisters. When her sister passed this summer she told us that she didn’t want us to be sad but that she had lived a good life and she was ready.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 5, 2015 at 2 in the afternoon. The service will be held at the Shrine of Remembrance in Colorado Springs. A reception will follow at one of Lois’ favorite restaurants, Country Buffet – 801 N Academy from 3:30-5:30pm. All are welcome to join the family with memories and laughs.
In lieu of flowers contributions in Lois’ name may be made to be used in the memorial garden at Pikes Peak Care Center where she spent the last happy months of her life. They may be mailed to Cindy Tupper, 5280 Topaz Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80918.
No matter what we called her Lois, Mom, Grandma or Nana she loved hearing from all of us, family and friends alike. She was a loving wife, mother, grandma and nana and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
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