LOIS BREKKE

Lois Brekke passed away, with family by her side, on Wednesday, June 12, 2013 at the Rainy Lake Medical Center in International Falls, Mn. after a two-month battle with leukemia.
Lois was born Oct. 12, 1941 and grew up in International Falls. She attended St. Thomas School and graduated from Falls High School in 1960.
Lois Chezick was united in marriage to Jerome Brekke on Jan. 21, 1961 in International Falls. Lois worked with her husband at Brekke Insurance Agency until they retired in 2001.
After retirement, winters were spent with their “snowbird” friends in Yuma, Ariz., where she enjoyed the sunshine and all their old and new friends.
Lois loved camping from the time she was a child, tenting with her family in Browns Bay to the more recent annual family tenting trips to Brekke Island in the North Arm of Rainy Lake.
She also enjoyed quilting, golfing, bowling, and fishing, especially teaching Jerome how to filet fish and always catching the first one.
She sewed costumes, dresses, and clothes for her kids and grandchildren, and made many unique costumes for “dress-up” bowling.
Lois was the centre of family holiday gatherings and loved her family very much; her door was always open for a cup of tea.
Lois is survived by her husband, Jerome Brekke, of International Falls, Mn., children, Beth (Jim) Badiuk of Fort Frances, Ont., Jay (Juliet) Brekke of Minneapolis, Mn., and Jennifer (Joe) Brekke-Sutherland of International Falls, Mn.; and six grandchildren, Jessica, Chelsey, and Chase Badiuk, Katelyn Brekke, and Connor and Holden Sutherland.
Also surviving are her brothers, Lloyd (Bernice) Chezick of International Falls, Mn./Rockport, Tex. and Larry Chezick of International Falls; sisters, Judy (Glen) Gillette of Supply, N.C. and Joanne (Dave) Amerud of International Falls, Mn.; and many lifelong friends.
She was predeceased by her parents, Lloyd Chezick Sr. and Olive (Skip) Chezick-Erickson; step-father, George Erickson; and brother, Wayne Chezick.
Mass of the Resurrection was offered Saturday, June 15, 2013 at 11 a.m. at St. Thomas Catholic Church in International Falls, with visitation at 10 a.m..
Interment was at St. Thomas Catholic Cemetery.
In memoriam donations may be made to St. Thomas School or the Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation (www.AAMDS.org/Donatenow).
Online condolences may be offered at www.greenlarsen.com
We all miss you, Lois . . .