Lois Marie Cleveringa

Lois Marie (Wilson) Cleveringa, 68, of Sioux Center, Iowa passed away after fighting COVID-19 for 52 days on December 6^th, 2020 surrounded by loved ones.

Visitation will be on Friday, December 11^th, 2020 from 5 to 7pm at the Memorial Funeral Home in Sioux Center, Iowa.  Due to COVID the family is unable to be present for the public visitation.  A private burial will follow at Memory Gardens.  A Celebration of Life will be held in May to honor Lois’ Birthday.

Lois was born in Cameron, Missouri to John and Edna Wilson on May 29^th, 1952.  She was the oldest of five children and had fond memories of growing up in rural Missouri.  She was valedictorian of her high school class, earning her first trip out of town to the state capital. 

She attended college at Northwest Missouri State University, where she made many lifelong friends.  It was in college where she met the love of her life – Calvin Cleveringa.  Cal and Lois were married on January 20^th, 1973.  They lived for a few years in Minburn, Iowa while Lois completed her Elementary Education degree at Iowa State University and Cal worked at the bank.  

In 1974 they moved to Hospers, Iowa, where Lois taught elementary school.  In 1978 they adopted their son, Aaron and had their daughter, Miriam in 1979.  Shortly after, Lois opened Wee Begin Preschool.  She co-owned and taught at the Preschool for 10 years.  Her youngest daughter Martha, was born in 1983. 

In 1990 the family moved to Sioux Center, where Lois taught and eventually purchased Rainbow Roads Preschool – educating many children in the community.  If there was a chance to teach, she would take it, especially if it involved sharing the love of Jesus.  She was a lifelong teacher and loved teaching at KidZone, AWANA, Sunday School, and Vacation Bible School.

Lois was baptized at the age of 16 while attending a church revival and was fully committed to loving and serving Christ from that day forward.  This was evident in everything she did throughout her life.  She was one of the founders of Christ Community Church and volunteered for numerous roles in her 30 years of service. Over the years she participated in mission trips to Venezuela, Belize, and Russia.  Cal and Lois hosted and cared for many missionaries in their home, including a missionary close to her heart, Dea Leu who spent two years living with them.  The last five winters, both Cal and Lois supported missionaries and Bible translators at Wycliffe Associates in Florida.

Lois will be always been known for her creative spirit.  She loved to love on people.  She did this through her creative cards, where she would always write encouraging notes and Bible verses.  She also used her sewing talents throughout her life to sew her own wedding dress, numerous costumes, Martha’s bridesmaid dresses and countless baby and wedding shower gifts.  And if she wasn’t sewing or card making, she was cooking!  She loved to entertain, always making you feel welcome and blessing you with a homemade meal, never forgetting a delicious dessert!

The greatest joys in Lois’ life were her husband of 47 years and her family.  Lois and Cal were able to travel extensively throughout their years together, providing a lifetime of memories for her family.  Her six grandchildren were so blessed to attend two amazing years of Grandma and Grandpa Camp, which was a week-long extravaganza of themed food, crafts, field trips and fun!   She loved to read her grandchildren stories, teach them how to craft and cook and most importantly show them the love of Jesus through her words and actions. 

Lois knew her only comfort in life and death was in her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was a great encourager for both for her family, friends and anyone who met her.  Lois will be missed immensely, but there is also great hope and joy in her eternal life with Jesus.  Heaven is her home and she will see you there!

Lois is preceded in death by her parents, John and Edna Wilson.  Her Sister-In-Law Elsie Bloemendaal.  Her four Brother-In-Laws: Dave Bomgaars, Robert Gibson, Larry Bloemendaal, and Joe Daniels.

Lois is survived by her loving husband, Calvin Cleveringa and her three beloved children and their spouses, Aaron (Emma) Cleveringa of Ft. Collins, CO; Miriam (Jose) Tovar of Arlington Heights, IL;  Martha (Andrew) Van Leeuwen of Waukee, IA.  Her siblings Willa Jean Gibson, John Paul (Donna) Wilson, James Wilson and Lisa Daniels.  Her Sister-In-Laws Carolyn (Rich) Odens and Colleen Bomgaars.  Her precious grandchildren, Logan Cleveringa, Kennedy and Kenzie Tovar and Micah, Leah and Caleb Van Leeuwen.  Numerous nieces and nephews and her friends and family in Christ.

Memorials may be directed to Christ Community Church’s AWANA Children’s Club – where Lois served for over 15 years.