Lois DeGenere

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DeGenere, Lois of Crystal, Minnesota, died February 4, 2018, at the age of 94. She was born October 26, 1923, in Glenwood, MN, to Louie and Gertrude (Lohre) Christenson. She and her two sisters, Verna and Elaine, grew up on their farm during the Depression. They worked hard and took joy in singing together as a trio. Lois began her career as a kindergarten teacher before moving to New York to work as a code breaker of secret enemy messages during WW II. It was in New York after the war that she met her future husband, Herbert DeGenere. Married in 1955, they moved to Crystal in 1959. Lois worked for the BBDO advertising agency for many years and then became an accountant at the Hennepin County Sheriff's Department. She and Herb were able to enjoy a long, happy retirement making many trips and enjoying time with friends and family. They were also very active in their church, Central Lutheran in downtown Minneapolis. Lois was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert DeGenere, and her two sisters. Lois and Herb did not have children but they were both proud of their roles as aunt and uncle. She is survived by her nephews Thomas (Florien) Curley, Peter (Suzanne) Curley, and David (Lynne) Emmons, and nieces Karen (Nelson) Norman, and Tina (Randy) Rice. Without the support of her next-door "family" Wally and Deb Johnson, her long-time friend Noelle Barrowclough, and her cousin Carol Urness she would not have been able to fulfill her wish of living at home to the end of her life. The excellent care given by Baywood Home Care staff was much appreciated. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm at Central Lutheran Church on 2/23/2018. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Central Lutheran Church.

Published on February 23, 2018