Lois H. (Knecht) Carson

Lois H. Carson, 103, of Aberdeen, passed away Monday, November 23, 2020, at Avera Mother Joseph Manor in Aberdeen.

A private family graveside committal service will take place at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Aberdeen at a later date. Reverend Ruth E. Clendenin, of First Presbyterian Church in Aberdeen, will officiate.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements.

Family and friends may sign Lois’ online guestbook at www.schriversmemorial.com.

Condolences may be sent to Patricia Carson, 2702 3rd Avenue SE - #109, Aberdeen, SD  57401.

Memorials are preferred to Avera Mother Joseph Manor Retirement Community, 1002 North Jay Street, Aberdeen, SD 57401.

Lois H. Knecht was born April 1, 1917, to John and Ella (Bartholome) Knecht in Houghton, SD.  She attended grade school at Knecht School in Shelby Township and graduated with four other classmates from Columbia High School in 1935. Lois furthered her education and graduated from St. Luke’s School of Nursing in 1938.  Following graduation, she worked for Dr. G.B. Ribble in La Moure, ND for a short time before returning to St. Luke’s Hospital, where she was employed until enlisting in the United States Army Nurse Corp on July 8, 1942.  Lois was a 1st Lieutenant, serving in various bases in the Midwest including Fort Riley, KS, and Camp Dodge, IA.  She was also in charge of the surgical ward at the AAF Training Command Radio School at the Sioux Falls Army Air Field until November 14, 1945, when she was honorably discharged. 

Lois met Clarence Carson when she was working at St Luke’s and he was a student at Northern State College.  She joined the Army and he joined the Marines and they kept in touch during the war.  Lois was united in marriage to Clarence on September 4, 1945.  They lived in Britton, SD for one year and then moved to Sisseton, SD in 1947, where Clarence accepted a teaching position.  In 1958, the family moved to Aberdeen.  Their union was blessed with three children:  Sharon, Patricia, and Robert.  Lois was a stay-at-home mom until her children were older.  She went back to school in 1970, renewed her nursing certificate, and began working at Americana Nursing Home until she retired in 1982.

After they retired, Lois and Clarence enjoyed camping, fishing, and traveling.  Their travels led them to every state in the United States except Vermont.  The couple was also devout Northern State men and women’s basketball fans and they enjoyed watching the Minnesota Twins.  Lois and Clarence loved to laugh and liked dancing to big band orchestra music.  In 2004, Lois and Clarence sold their house and moved to Primrose Independent Living.  In 2011, they moved to Nano Nagle Assisted Living.  Clarence passed away in 2013.  Lois moved into Avera Mother Joseph Manor in August of 2018, where she continued to reside until the time of her death.   

Lois was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Aberdeen.  She was also an Eastern Star member, receiving her 50-year pin in 2001.  Lois was an avid reader and also enjoyed doing crossword puzzles.

Grateful for sharing Lois’ life are her children:  Sharon Carson of Minneapolis, MN, Patricia Carson of Aberdeen, and Robert Carson of Sioux Falls, SD; her brother, John “Bud” Knecht of Aberdeen; her brother-in-law, Raymond Carson of Yankton, SD; and many nieces and nephews.

Lois is preceded in death by her husband, Clarence; her parents, John and Ella Knecht; three brothers:  Elmer Knecht, Arthur Knecht, and Lloyd Knecht; and five sisters:  Myrtle Podoll, Mildred Mitchell, Ruth Johnson, Gladys Knecht, and Donna Johnson.    

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