Lois Geraldine (Jacobson) Tammel

Lois Geraldine (Jacobson) Tammel, 92, passed away on November 13, 2021, at the Barthell Eastern Star Nursing Home in Decorah, Iowa. 

Lois was born in Harmony, Minn., on May 23, 1929, to James and Lena (Grande) Jacobson. Lois’s youth encompassed life on the dairy farm operated by her parents. She helped in bottling and delivering milk that came from their dairy herd.

After graduating from Harmony High School in 1947, Lois attended teacher’s training at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. From there she taught elementary school in Stanley, Iowa. Although she didn’t teach for long, she was proud of the time she spent teaching. 

During her teaching years, she caught the eye of a gentleman one summer evening. This man, Juan Tammel, soon became her husband. On September 2, 1951, Juan and Lois were wed at the Greenfield Lutheran Church in Harmony, Minn. They made their home in Bristol Township, near Harmony, Minn. 

On the farm, Lois helped with various farm chores along with raising four children. Her pastimes included reading, stitchery, refinishing furniture, playing 500 and making lefse. She was proud of her Norwegian heritage.

Lois was active in the Bristol Homemakers Club and served in various positions as a member of the Root River Church of the Brethren. 

After moving to Harmony in 1991, Lois worked at the Village Depot and volunteered at the visitor center and the Harmony Area Historical Society. 

Lois was a good friend – and she truly enjoyed getting together with her friends. Many fun memories were made with the birthday group. In later years, she enjoyed the company of the coffee group that met at the Harmony House. 

Lois was a loving grandma.  The grandchildren have many lifetime memories that were made with their grandparents. They enjoyed the many treats she would make, especially her sugar cookies. 

Lois resided in Harmony until December 2017, at which time she became a resident of the Barthell Eastern Star Nursing Home in Decorah, Iowa.

She is preceded in death by her husband Juan, an infant daughter, her parents James and Lena Jacobson, and a brother, Murrell. 

She is survived by her four children: Deb Peterson of Harmony, Bonnie (Chuck) Hill of Harmony, Larry (Bonnie) Tammel of Preston, and Susan (Todd) Hendrickson, also of Preston; 12 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and a sister-in-law and dear friend, Marilyn Tammel. 

Memorials may be directed to: Harmony Area Community Foundation, PO Box 342, Harmony, Minn. 55939. 

Special thanks to the staff at Barthell Eastern Star Nursing Home and the Decorah Dialysis Center for the special care given to Lois over the past few years.

A Celebration of Life is being planned for May 2022.