Lois A. Guggenbuehl

Lois Guggenbuehl, 92 passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving children and husband of 71 years, Larry, on Monday, February 27, 2023.

Lois Ann Fries was born two minutes before her identical twin, Doris, on July 11, 1930 to Fred and Florence (Boehm) Fries. She and her 2 sisters were lovingly raised by their father after the untimely death of her mother when Lois was 10. She graduated from Aquinas in 1948, where she met her high school sweetheart, Lorry. They were married on 11/10/1951, after she had graduated from St Francis School of Nursing. She worked for St Francis Hospital until her retirement in 1985, taking some time off to be a full time caregiver to her father during his terminal illness in 1963.

The frugality of growing up in the Depression did not prevent Lois from living a full life, yet she did not believe in waste and found treasure in everything. Lois and Larry enjoyed many family gatherings at their cottage on Loon Lake, WI near her twin. She and Lorry also loved travels and cruises all over the world, often with family or friends. We will always treasure the memories of the many vacations throughout the US in the station wagon with a tiny tent camper and 5 kids (or more) in tow, listening to Mom as she read about the next town from the TripTik. Never one to sit idle, she was rarely seen without a book or a pair of knitting needles. She could knit on entire baby sweater on a ride between La Crosse and St Paul. She loved gardening, canning, birdwatching, rug making, crafting, sewing, crossword puzzles, daily phone chats with her twin, and Sunday drives with Larry. Always a caregiver, she was the first to stop by with a hot dish and an offer to help. It was also important for her to remain in touch with family and friends, especially old classmates and nurses she worked with. Faith was of utmost importance in her life. As a lifelong active member of Mary Mother of the Church, she rarely missed a Sunday service, sang for funeral masses, served in other ways when she could, and said her rosary often. Her generosity and stubborn independence was endearing until the end. She loved her family, friends and life. We will miss her deeply.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Mary Ellen (Jim) Bina, and twin, Doris (Doug) Hendrickson.

She is survived by her beloved and devoted husband, Larry, five children ... Cindy (Jeff) Koeller, of La Crosse,Terry (Shelley Smith) Guggenbuehl, and Mary Beth (Jim) Backstrom, of St Paul, David (Merri Jo) Guggenbuehl, of La Crosse, and Susan Guggenbuehl, of St Paul. her grandchildren, David Brueggen, Kristi (Matt) Larson, Andrea, Nick and Mike Guggenbuehl, Annalise (Son) Nguyen, and Craig Backstrom, and one great-grandchild, Everly Nguyen.

A private family service will be held at a later date. Memorials may be given to Mary Mother of the Church, or Mayo Health System-La Crosse.