Lois Mae Kockler

Lois Mae Kockler was born April 21, 1945, in Appleton, Minnesota, the daughter of George Charles and Hella Hildegard (Wachter) Haase. She was raised in the Appleton area, graduating from Appleton High School in 1963. After high school, Lois was awarded a scholarship to Valparaiso University, in Valparaiso, Indiana, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree, and attended Iowa State University, in Ames, Iowa, where she attained both her Master’s degree and Ph.D.

In 1968, Lois married Allen Kockler, in Ames, Iowa. This union was blessed with three children: Diane, George, and Mike. Lois worked as a computer programmer in Nevada, Iowa. Later she was a mathematics professor at Des Moines Area Community College for almost 20 years. Many of her students praised her teaching abilities and appreciated her sense of humor in the classroom. In December 2003, Lois retired and moved back to Appleton. She was a faithful member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Appleton, where she especially enjoyed singing in the church choir, and attending Bible study and quilting groups. Lois also enjoyed reading, painting, crafting, and playing with her grandchildren.

Lois passed away on February 3, 2016, in Raytown, Missouri, at age 70. She is survived by her children: Diane (David) Martin of Raytown, Missouri, George (Alicia) Kockler of Carver, Minnesota, and Mike (Rosa Cruz) Kockler of Des Moines, Iowa; four grandchildren: Kolton, Kyla, and Kennedy Kockler, and Elizabeth Cruz; her double cousin Ruth (Claude) Larson, and their children: Naomi Dempcy and Aaron (Deb) Larson.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her aunt and uncle, Sophie and Elmer Haase.

Blessed be the memory of Lois Mae Kockler.