Lois Elaine Esser
Obituary
Lois Elaine Esser, born in Seattle, Washington on October 10, 1926, passed away peacefully in Renton, Washington on December 24, 2024. Lois lived her 98 years to the fullest and remained in her home working on her passions and projects until her very last moments. Lois was known affectionately as “Gramma Lo” to her children and grandchildren and “Lo-Lo” to her nieces and nephew. Lois Raised her three children as a single mother. She fortunately met the love of her life, Herman, later in life while out square dancing.
Lois was preceded in death by her parents, Judson “Papa” and Lura “Mok” Colburn; her husband, Herman Esser; her children, David Kolhage, Jody (Jerry) St. John, Jan Neely; and her Grandson, Scot Neely. Lois is survived in death by her sister, Jeanette Bingham; her nephew, Doug Bingham; her nieces, Jeanine Patten and Joy Contreras; son-in-law, Jim Neely; her grandchildren, Todd (Sarah) Neely, Amy (Nathan) Alwin, Kelli (Justin) Benedict, and Ben (Valerie) St. John; her great grandchildren, Cooper, Katelyn, Kendra, Kassidy, Ryan, Alexis, Cameryn, Ayden, Emma, Natalie, Curtis; and her great-great granddaughter, Nova.
Lois worked in the insurance and medical industries during her professional career. In retirement she found her passion and purpose in volunteering and advocating for elder care. Lois always seemed to have a “project” or two in this advocacy work up until her last days. She tirelessly helped others in need and even volunteered her home for some of her “projects” over the years. In her final years, alongside her continued support for someone in need, she started to work diligently on telling her family story. In that work, she connected with people in her parents’ hometown of Jarrett, Minnessota to help them tell the history of this town. She provided ample amounts of documentation of her father’s and grandfather’s ownership of the Jarrett Roller Mills flour milling operation at the heart of the old town as well as many life histories of family members connected to that community. This work kept Lois mentally sharp until the very end of her days.
Lois will be remembered fondly by her family and friends for her Kindness, Generosity, and Quick Wit.
Funeral service will be on January 18, 2025, at noon at Bonney Watson Funeral Home in SeaTac. Graveside Service at 1:30PM on January 18, 2025, at Riverton Crest Cemetery in Tukwila.