ESCANABA - Lois Mae (Good) Anderson, local community advocate, role model and leader, passed away to be with her Lord and Savior on Easter Sunday, April 8, 2012, of a heart attack. She was 74 years of age, born on Aug. 14, 1937, in Escanaba, Mich., the daughter of Chester Alan and Helen Lillian (Sundquist) Good.
Lois was raised on the "Good Family Farm" in Bark River where she cherished her many childhood memories with family and friends. She graduated from Bark River High School in 1955, helping plan many class reunions. She continued her education at Michigan State University.
On July 20, 1957, Lois married Arthur G. Anderson at Salem Lutheran Church in Bark River. The couple was blessed with four children: Chris, Kim, Debbie (Dee Dee) and Keith. Lois was deep-rooted in family and faith; with generosity and a caring touch for everyone she met. She always saw what needed to be done, was willing to help and lead where required. For these qualities she was held in high esteem, sharing her life with many. She especially loved her children, grandchildren and the "Good" siblings and their families. Every summer she would take her five grandchildren on a local summer get-away before the start of school, creating "Grandma" memories that will be cherished for a lifetime.
Article Photos
Lois Mae (Good) Anderson
She assisted her husband in the funeral business at Anderson Funeral Homes for decades, later founding Holiday Travel of Escanaba in 1978. Lois grew the business, her daughter Dee Dee joining her in 1983, and now the owner of the agency, renamed Passageways Travel. She organized many group travels with her clients who enjoyed the knowledge, experience, comfort and security she instilled while traveling throughout the world.
Lois shared her leadership abilities with many community clubs and organizations over the past 55 years. She was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church (past Sunday School teacher, council and committee member), General Federation of Woman's Club-Escanaba (past president), Order of the Eastern Star (past Worthy Matron), Bay Sages, Red Hats, and Rock American Legion Auxiliary. She was involved in the Delta County Chamber of Commerce, during her presidency the "Love Affair" fundraiser evolved as a solution to the Chamber's budget imbalance, served on the city of Escanaba's Loan Board, as well as past president of the Lemmer School PTA. As a respected businesswoman, Lois was selected to join the Board of Directors of Michigan Financial Corporation (MFC), later serving on the Wells Fargo Board. She was proud to become the first woman in the Upper Peninsula to serve on a bank board.
Lois enjoyed summers at Mahskeekee Lake, winters in Englewood, Fla., entertaining, traveling, gardening, working part time, and walking three miles each day. Residents of Escanaba are accustomed to the early morning sight of the elegant, energetic woman striding down the sidewalk, picking up litter - doing what must be done!
Lois Mae Anderson is survived by her children, Chris (Kim) Anderson, Kim (Paul) Carne, Dee Dee (Mike) Skradski and Keith (Lisa) Anderson, all of Escanaba; five grandchildren, Laura and Christina Anderson, Erika, Paul and Christer Carne; brothers, Bill (JoAnne) Good, Art (Deana) Good; sisters, Doreen Bartoszek, Jean McDonough, Janet (Lee) Hanson, Karen (Barry) Berquist, Bonnie (Bob) Barr; and several nieces and nephews.
Her husband, Arthur G. Anderson, preceded her in death nine days prior, on March 30, 2012. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Chester and Helen Good, and brother, James Allen Good.
Visitation will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Thursday, April 12, at the Anderson Funeral Home in Escanaba. Funeral services celebrating the life of Lois Mae (Good) Anderson will follow at 6 p.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church with Rev Eric Heskin officiating. Burial will take place in the Lakeview Cemetery next to her husband of nearly 55 years.
Those wishing to offer a memorial in Lois' honor are kindly asked to consider the Anderson Bay College Scholarship Fund or a charity of choice. Expressions of sympathy and online condolences may be directed to the Anderson family at www.andersonfuneralhomes.net.
