Lois Ortendahl Lindquist died peacefully on Tuesday, May 31, 2022 in Colorado Springs, CO. She was born July 5, 1934 in Falconer, NY. She has lived in Falconer and Jamestown, NY; East Grand Rapids, Northville and Novi, MI; Colorado Springs, CO; and spent many winters in Orange County, California.
Lois is survived by her four children—Jeffrey Lindquist (Melody) of Colorado Springs, CO; Debora Smith (Michael) of North Tustin, CA; Randal Lindquist (Doreen) of Atlanta, GA; and Diane Zoltowski (Jeffrey) of Northville, MI; seven grandchildren—Joshua Lindquist of Los Angeles, CA; Zachary Lindquist of Vail, CO; and Katherine Lindquist of Seattle, WA; Andrew Smith of Costa Mesa, CA; Megan (Landy) Sitto of Macomb, MI; and Harrison and Lauren Zoltowski of Northville, MI; three great-granddaughters—Stella, Layla and Ava Sitto of Macomb, MI; her brother Robert Ortendahl of Jamestown, NY, sister-in-law Nancy Lindquist of Glen Allen, VA, and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Charles Lindquist and her parents, J. Reuben Ortendahl and Francina Grandin Ortendahl.
Lois graduated from Falconer Central High School in 1952 and attended Alfred State College in Alfred, NY.
She was employed at the former Jamestown Telephone Company in the mid-1950s. Lois enjoyed part-time work at BOCES (Boards of Cooperative Educational Services) of New York State, the Michigan Synod of the Lutheran Church in America and Kelly Services. Her full-time job and passion was always her family—being the support structure and biggest cheerleader for her children, daughters- and sons-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whom she loved and cherished.
Lois found joy in her Lutheran faith, her family and friends and her travels—across the US and abroad. She was a decades-long supporter of the Jamestown Shoestring Players, a community theater group, and an avid fan of Michigan State sports. Lois’ true legacy is finding the silver lining in every situation.
In lieu of flowers, gifts in her memory may be made to two charities that were near and dear to her heart: Autism Resource Mom, Inc., online donations: www.autismresourcemom.org or mail to 13075 Bow Place, North Tustin, CA 92705 and Centaur Stride, Inc., online donations: www.centaurstride.org or mail to P.O. Box 174, Westfield, NY 14787.
A memorial service for Lois will be held in Jamestown, NY later in the summer.
Nancy Lindquist
10 Jun 2022My Sister,my friend, my childhood idol, I miss you so much! I am so thankful you were in my life, you made it so much better. The adventures, the laughs, the sad and good times we shared are the memories I treasure. Until we meet, I love you