Lois Chmelar, age 89, our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend passed away peacefully at The Meadows of Owosso Assisted Living Home on January 4, 2025.
Lois was born in Swartz Creek, Michigan on July 11, 1935, to the late Paul and Lena (Bowles) Lare. Lois married her sweetheart and love of her life, Henry Chmelar, on November 5, 1955. They celebrated 69 years of marriage this past November. Their family grew with the addition of their three children - Nancy, Thomas and Barbara.
Lois was a hard worker, starting her career at the age of 16 at Confer’s Supermarket in New Lothrop while still in high school. Over the years, she worked as a stock person, cashier, and eventually worked her way up to the role of grocery department manager. Besides her full-time job, she was always helping Henry with farm work, outdoor home maintenance, indoor housework and most importantly, raising three children. Lois was an amazing woman and wonderful mother.
Lois was a friendly and familiar fixture within that store for 43 years, eventually retiring in 1994. After her retirement, Henry and Lois became snowbirds, wintering in Florida every year from October to April enjoying the warm weather and new friendships. Lois enjoyed traveling with Henry. Sometimes they would go on trips with groups of family and friends. They visited almost every state in the US, several foreign countries, and went on many cruises.
Lois was what you could call a “social butterfly.” As a lifelong resident of New Lothrop, she knew nearly everyone in town. She and Henry had a large group of family and friends with whom they loved spending time with and entertaining. Lois made new friends so easily and was always involved in various activities in Florida at the mobile home park club house. Lois was a great baker, loved playing bingo and bowling, and stole the spotlight when she and Henry would showcase their polka and square-dancing moves. She loved being outside, sunbathing to work on her tan, and you couldn’t drive down New Lothrop Road in the summer without seeing her waving from the front porch of the grey farmhouse on the hill. Lois loved and cherished her family very much. She is survived by her three children, daughter, Nancy (Earl) Dice, son; Thomas (Kelly) Chmelar; daughter, Barbara (David) Kral; grandchildren, Brett (Terri) Dice; Brandi (Kristi Ward) Dice; Chelsey (Kyle) Saari; Brooke (Michael) Taipale; Allison Chmelar; step-grandchildren, Nathan (Alexia) Ballantine; Rachel (Drew) Barker; great-grandchildren, Sierra and Aaron Dice, and Marek Saari; and step-great grandchildren, Milo and Maia Ballantine; and Lake, Forest, and Sky Barker. She is also survived by her older sister, Maxine Johnson and twin sister, Louise Bryant along with many loving nieces, nephews, and their families.
Lois was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Chmelar on December 21, 2024, her parents, sisters, Shirley Henry, Pauline Lanfear, Evelyn Moore, Carolyn Simison, and brothers Charles “Mike” Lare and Roland “Ike” Lare. Her family would like to thank The Meadows of Owosso Assisted Living Home for the wonderful and heartfelt care given to Lois during her residence with them. She truly felt the love expressed by everyone.