Funeral service for Lois Nester, 96, of Reeder, ND will be Monday, June 23 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Reeder. Rev. Stephanie Swanson will officiate. Inurnment of her ashes will be at a later date. Visitations will be from 1:00 to 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 22, at Evanson Jensen Funeral Home in Hettinger, ND and one hour prior to the service at the church Monday morning.


Lois Markegard was born on July 14, 1911 to John and Jennie (Pierce) Markegard, the oldest of 6 children. Lois was raised on a farm north of Bucyrus and she graduated from Bucyrus High School in 1930.


She met her husband Victor Nester on a blind date and they were married on November 23, 1932 in Reeder, ND. They lived in DeSart, ND until they moved to the farm North of Reeder in 1944. In 1948 they moved to her current home where she enjoyed electricity and running water for the first time in her life.


She made many close friends with her love of flowers, which she shared with family and friends. She was active in Home Makers Club, 4 H Club, Circle, Book Club and Bible Study. Lois enjoyed researching and updating the family genealogy, local history and horticulture. Her special interests and personality was enjoyed by close friends, visitors, and relatives in her daily life. Lois was an avid reader and had a love of poetry. She spent many hours making quilts, which are on every bed at home as well as the homes of her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and many others. Lois never lost her zeal for life with family, friends with activities in square dancing, love of animals, and nature. Lois passed away at the Western Horizion Care Center in Hettinger, ND on June 17, 2008.


She was preceded in death by her husband Victor, her parents John & Jennie Markegard, her brothers, Winston "Bobby", Lyle, Douglas, and Curtis Markegard and a son-in-law Norman Werdel.


Lois is survived by her children, Duane, Hazel Werdel, Richard (Mary), Ronald (Heather). 8 grandchildren, Nadine (Donny) Sohns, Michael (Ann), Lynn Werdel. Paula (Mark) VanDinter, Jaci (Tim) Mattingley, Noel (David) Snyder, Penny Nester and Heather (Bob) Fried. 14 great-grandchildren, one brother, Keith (Artie) Markegard and many nieces and nephews.


A memorial has been established by her family.