Lois Underdahl

Lois M. Underdahl, 94, of West Union, Iowa died on Friday, May 1, 2020 at Maple Crest Manor in Fayette, Iowa.  Lois was born December 11, 1925 to Rodney and Rose (Rohrig) Thomas at the family home in Aurora, Iowa. She graduated from Oelwein High School in 1943 and from Gates College in Waterloo, Iowa. At age 56, she returned to school, studying 2 semesters at NEITI in Calmar, Iowa.

Lois was united in marriage with Clifford Underdahl in 1945. Early in their marriage, the couple along with their small children resided in several locations due to Cliff’s military service. In 1956, they moved to a farm on Highway 18 between Hawkeye and West Union. They also owned and operated the Dodge Dealership in West Union. After being widowed, Lois worked for Underdahl Chevrolet in Greeley, Colorado, Witham Chevrolet, the Social Security Office in Waterloo, West Union Chamber of Commerce, and Ben Franklin.  

Lois was a Past Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star, Secretary of the Past Matron’s Club in West Union, Past President of the American Legion Auxiliary, Past President of the Shrine Widow’s Club, Past member of the Daughter’s of the Nile and White Shrine and Secretary/Treasurer of Rohrig Reunion. 

Lois was known as “Granny” to everyone. She took pride in working for the chamber office and was very active in the United Methodist Church. Lois enjoyed talking about her travels, bookkeeping, spending time with her family, working in her yard, gardening, playing solitaire, attending social functions, studying her genealogy and visiting her son in Florida.

Surviving Lois are her children, Tim Underdahl of Waterloo, Iowa, Sandra (Reid) Martin of West Union, Iowa and Rod (Kim) Underdahl of Sarasota, Florida; eight grandchildren, Eric Underdahl, Michele Hanson, Melanie Seitz, Jeffrey Martin, Melissa Whelan, Stephanie Wagner, Easton Underdahl and Avery Underdahl; seventeen great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.

Lois was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford Underdahl; parents, Rodney and Rose Thomas; brothers, Lester Thomas and Wayne Thomas; daughter-in-law, Janice Underdahl; and her beloved numerous cats named Fuzz Fuzz.

Due to state and federal guidance on gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the family will not be having a public memorial at this time.

A Public Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be directed to West Union United Methodist Church or the American Legion in West Union.

Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of West Union, Iowa is assisting the family.