Lois Elstad

Lois Ruth Radtke Elstad
1917-2015

Lois Ruth Radtke Elstad was born July 2, 1917 to Julius and Matilda Radtke in Nerstrand, MN, and was the youngest of four.  Lois spent her early years in the small town of Nerstrand and later attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN.  A short time later she worked in retail and then expanded her career working in banking and for Northwest Airlines in the Twin Cities.   She met and married Marvin Elstad during WWII and moved to Tonopah, NV, where they were stationed at the end of the war.   Following the end of the War, they lived briefly in St. Paul and later built a home in Minneapolis where they lived for 26 years.

In 1972 Lois and Marv moved to Memphis and opened a business where they prospered until they retired.  In 2000, they followed their children to Utah and began a new chapter in their lives.

Lois and Marv traveled the world. A highlight was their trip to China where they were  among the first visiting Westerners allowed into the country.  She loved the Arts and was a docent and founding member of the Guild with the Performing Arts Center in Germantown, TN.  She was creative as a oil painter and was accomplished in intricate needlepoint. She enjoyed golf, playing bridge, volunteering, and had a passion for helping others.   She sang with the choral group, the Songbirds, until she no longer could.  Lois loved the church, maintained a strong faith throughout her life and lived the way her faith guided her. She was best known for her goodness, grace and hospitality, and the gift of making someone feel important and noticed.

It has been said that you are known by the number of people you love but, truly, Lois is known by the number of people who loved her.  She passed away on November 29, 2015 at the age of 98 and will be missed by many.

In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you, that where I am, there you may be also.  John 14:2

Lois is survived by four children; Susan Elstad Dinter, Jeffrey Elstad and Carol Ann Elstad Pollish all of whom presently reside in Utah.  She leaves 4 grandchildren, Kelly Lamberson of Memphis,  Kristin Hauser, Scott Camburn Pollish and Becky Pollish of Utah.  She also leaves four great-grandchildren: Lucie, Olivia, Charlotte and Norah.  In addition, she leaves sons-in-law Mark Pollish, Warren Dinter, Christopher Lamberson, Josh Hauser and close friend, Dan McClellan.

The family would like to express deepest gratitude to Julie, Dawn and Brittany for the loving care they showed to our mother during this past year.

A Memorial service will be held December 19, 2015 at 2:00 PM. at Hilltop Methodist Church, 985 East 10006 South, Sandy UT, 84094.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be forwarded to Hilltop Methodist Church.