Lois Elaine Jirgens (n Larsen, Seward), of Laurens, Iowa, passed away on February 27, 2024 in Pocahontas, Iowa at the age of 83. She was born May 30, 1940 in Cedar Falls, Iowa to Donald S. and Zelda L. (Witzke) Larsen.

Lois attended Newell Consolidated School, graduating as Valedictorian in 1958. She married Richard C. Seward, of Storm Lake, Iowa in October 1959. They lived in Carroll, Iowa until the spring of 1962 at which time they relocated to Roseville, California. There they raised their three children, Corey, Christopher, and Cynthia.

Lois was a lifelong learner. She received several collegiate degrees, including a Master’s Degree from California State University, Sacramento (CSUS) in English and a second Master’s Degree in Education/Reading. She also attended post-graduate study at several universities, including Sheffield University in Sheffield, England and University of California, Berkeley. She was a member of Alpha Gamma Sigma Honor Society and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.

While Lois studied at Sheffield University the family lived in a quaint English village, Dronfield, six miles away where they met lifelong friends. During any free time they traveled and explored many historical sites throughout England, Scotland and Wales. In route back to the USA they spent two weeks traveling throughout Europe.

Lois was a devoted educator, teaching English composition, literature, speech, and reading in several school districts in California and Iowa. Additionally, she was an instructor at numerous colleges and universities, including CSUS, American River College in Sacramento, and Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge, Iowa.

While teaching at CSUS Lois met Karlis Jirgens. They married in 1987 and lived in the Sacramento area until they relocated to Laurens, Iowa in 1996.

Lois was actively involved in several community organizations in both California and Iowa. She served in leadership roles with the Pocahontas County Democrats, Laurens Library Board, and Historical and Cemetery Preservation Committees. She also enjoyed performing with the Coloma Crescent Theatre Group in Coloma, California.

Lois was an avid reader and crossword puzzler. She also enjoyed hunting for antiques and other treasures at flea markets, estate sales, auctions and antique stores and fairs. She was a collector and decorator extraordinaire. Lois and family restored an 1892 Victorian home in Placerville, California once known as “Hangtown,” subsequently depicted by famed artist Thomas Kinkade. Lois loved spending time with family - the grandchildren and great grandchildren were her most precious gems.

Lois was preceded in death by her parents, Donald S. and Zelda L. Larsen, her sister Anita D. Larsen, her son, Corey Seward and nephew Jonathan Degner.

Lois is survived by her husband, Karlis Jirgens, her son Chris Seward, daughter, Cynthia Seward, her sister Ellen (David) Degner, Sr. of Newell, Iowa, grandchildren Taylor Farmer, Nicholas Zurek, Nathaniel Seward, great grandchildren Eden Callahan and Chandler Farmer, and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. 

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/lois-jirgens/obituary/

Copy