Lois Wishmeyer

Lois Landon Wishmeyer, age 95, of Cedar Falls, Iowa died July 9, 2024, at Allen Hospital in Waterloo. Lois was born May 28, 1929, to Ralph and Minnie (Schnoor) Landon in State Center, Iowa. She graduated from LaMoille High School in 1947 where she was active in music and sports. Lois graduated from Iowa State Teachers College with her teaching certificate in elementary education in 1949 and taught in Sigourney and Independence. She married Richard A Brown on June 7, 1953. After a year in California, they moved back to Independence, Iowa to take over Richard’s father’s construction business. Lois was a bookkeeper for his company for 8 years and was also secretary at the Junior High School. In 1962 she and Richard moved to Cedar Falls where he worked for UNI as a carpenter until his passing in 1975. She married W. Dean Wishmeyer in 1986, he preceded her in death in 2015. Lois managed several rental properties in Cedar Falls. She worked a short time as secretary at the Lutheran Home and at Younkers before beginning employment at the UNI Library in 1977. She was employed in the circulation department of the library for 18 years, retiring in 1995. Upon retirement, Lois and Dean traveled extensively in the US as well as Europe, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and Hawaii. When traveling became difficult for Dean, they became active community volunteers. She was a member of Nazareth Lutheran Church, Sartori Hospital Auxiliary, UNI Athletic Club, the association of Retired Americans, Friends of Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, and a 50-year member of the Order of Eastern Star. Lois was among the first to join the usher group at Gallagher Bluedorn in 2000. Lois also enjoyed serving at Nazareth. At the Cedar Falls Visitors and Tourism Bureau, it gave her great pleasure to talk to people interested in moving to the Cedar Valley area and listening to their reason for visiting. She was chairperson of Medical Runners at Sartori Memorial Hospital and helped with the Sartori May breakfast and Festival of Trees for many years. She also volunteered at the Cedar Falls Community Theater and Western Home Communities and received several rewards for her volunteerism. Her family was very important to her, and she loved having them visit. The family reunion every 4th of July was one of the highlights of the year. She was preceded in death by her parents; her two husbands; three brothers, Keith, Max and LaVern Landon; and three sisters-in-law. She is survived by two daughters, Sue Brown Beaupre of Cottage Grove, MN, and Barbara (Jon) Ford of Ft. Collins, CO; one son, Mark (Teresa) Brown of Gallatin, TN; three step-kids, Dr. Janet Rettenmaier of Springfield, MO, Jolynn Wishmeyer (Randy Terpstra) of Cedar Falls, Duane (Nancy) Wishmeyer of Highlands Ranch, CO; six grandsons, Brian (Sheri) Beaupre of Eagan, MN, Dustin (Lindsey) Beaupre of Rosemount, MN, Benjamin (Stella) Beaupre of San Diego, CA, Landon (Emiley), Alex and Carson Ford of CO; four step-kids, Leigh (Stuart) Rodrick and Keith (Erica Bast) Rettenmaier of MO, and Katherine and Jared Wishmeyer of CO; eight great grandchildren, Emelia, Eliza, Evan, Leonardo, Isabelle, Giovanni, Delilah and Beckett Beaupre. Funeral services will be 10:30am Monday July 15, 2024, at Nazareth Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls. Visitation will be from 2-4pm Sunday, July 14, 2024, at Richardson Funeral Service in Cedar Falls, Iowa and also one hour prior to the service at church. Burial will be in Waterloo Memorial Park in Waterloo. Memorials may be directed to the church, Friends of Gallagher Bluedorn PAC or Western Home Communities.

Lois Wishmeyer

May 28, 1929 - July 9, 2024