Lois Mae Hochhalter, age 88 of Glen Ullin, ND, formerly of New Leipzig, ND passed away on Sunday, September 27 at the Marian Manor Care Center in Glen Ullin.

A Private Family Service will be at 10:30 a.m. MT, Wednesday, September 30, 2020 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Leipzig with Pastor John Amundson officiating. The service will be live streamed on the funeral home website www.evansonjensenfuneralhome.com . Fr. Kregg Hochhalter will preside over the committal service which is open to friends and family on Thursday, October 1, 2020 at the Congregational Cemetery in New Leipzig.

There will be a visitation for friends and family from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon at the Evanson Jensen Funeral Home in Elgin, ND.

Lois was born the third child of Edward and Edith (Pitcher) Schulz in 1932. She grew up on the family farm north of Elgin and called the Elgin and New Leipzig area her home for her entire life.

St. Thérèse of Lisieux once said "the loveliest masterpiece of the heart of God is the heart of a mother." Lois came to know very well this motherly heart early in her life when she lost her own mother at the age of nine. It was because of her mom's early death that Lois became a mother to her four younger brothers. In between raising her younger brothers and working on the family farm, Lois went to country school north of Elgin through the eighth grade.

At a dance one evening in Burt, North Dakota, Lois met Edwin Hochhalter, the man who would become her husband. They were married on June 18, 1950 and after becoming married, took over the Hochhalter family farm. In 1960, Edwin and Lois purchased it as their own. It was on that farm they raised 5 children: Gene, Glen, Garland, Marsha, and Marlys.

Lois' motherly heart served her home, her community and her church. She and Eddie (as Lois liked to call her husband) were active members of the Christus Congregational United Church of Christ in New Leipzig where Lois was part of the women's circle, helping with various church events. She loved to cook; and to bake – and in the fall of the year could be found in her kitchen making kuchen for the Oktoberfest celebration in New Leipzig. Lois was active with 4-H; she loved to be in her garden; to play cards; and she especially loved to be with her grandchildren and be a part of whatever they were doing. She was very proud of the life she and Eddie build and lived that life happily.

Lois grandchildren have – in their mind's eye – many vivid and happy memories of time spent with Grandma – both on the farm and in New Leipzig: the gravel path between the tree rows that led to the yard; the windmill near the white barn; the smell of earth and soil when you walked into the house; cream gravy on nearly anything; mashed potatoes; buckets of Schwan's ice cream in the freezer; making popcorn in a kettle on the stove at nightfall; the chocolate cupcakes with a cream center that would come with her on nearly every visit; popcorn balls and the corner goodie table at Christmas time; a trip to Elgin to have dinner and ice cream at the Triple H Drive Inn; the tick-tock of the old clock hanging in the hall near the kitchen; the big hug and warm smile you would receive upon entering the house; the early morning walks she would take before anyone else was awake; and that she often drank water out of a measuring cup to ensure she was drinking just the right amount! Lois never had a showcase of awards or a closet of beautiful clothes. What she had, though, as a gift from God, was the heart of a mother – a priceless masterpiece that led her to a life well-lived. In God's infinite goodness and mercy, may His servant, Lois, come to know eternal rest: Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matthew 11:28-29).

Lois is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law: Glen and Renee Hochhalter, Dickinson, ND; and Garland and Cathy Hochhalter, New Leipzig, ND; two daughters: Marsha Ridl, Bowman, ND; and Marlys Wanner, Mandan, ND; two brothers and three sisters-in-law: Gordon Schulz, Chicago, IL; Donald and Etta Schulz, Crestview, FL; Darlene Schulz, Sturgis, SD; Lois Schulz, Madison, WI; nine grandchildren: Kelli (Scott) Schneider, Kenton (Erin) Hochhalter, Fr. Kregg Hochhalter, Daniel Hochhalter, Nicole (Jonas) VanEnk, Brad Ridl, Amanda Ridl, Brett Wanner, Britton Wanner; and ten great-grandchildren Katherine, Elizabeth, Joseph and Clare Schneider; Kellen, Easton and Kyler Hochhalter; Kailey, Jaxon and Casen VanEnk.

She was preceded in death by her parents Edward and Edith (Pitcher) Schulz; her husband, Edwin; one son, Gene Hochhalter; two sons-in-law: Alvin Ridl and Gary Wanner; three brothers: Calvin; Vernon; Lyle; one sister, Mary Ann.

In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established. Cards can be mailed to Marlys Wanner, 2310 Lexi Loop SE, Unit #4, Mandan, ND 58554.