Lois was born September 15, 1933, in Neche, ND to Gustave and Gunda Stegman, she grew up in the Neche area where she attended country school and graduated from Neche High School. In 1951 she found herself entering the halls of the Grand Forks Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing. She received her diploma and R.N. certificate graduating in 1954. She worked in hospital care, clinical nursing, DON in long term care and doing physical exams for insurance companies.
She married James Otto in 1965 in Cavalier, ND. They moved to Edinburg in 1966. This is where they raised their children. In Edinburg, she kept very busy within the community. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. Where she was in the Bible Study groups, WELCA, Vocal Choir, Bell Choir and Sunday school. She was a member of the Walsh County Social Service Board, Member of Edinburg Quick Response Unit, Sunnyside Homemakers, Red Hats, Edinburg Legion Auxiliary.
She is survived by her children: Patti (Ken) Novacek, Mayville, ND; Mike (Tanna Aasand) Otto, Park River, ND; Lisa (Tom) Steinolfson, Colfax, ND; her grandsons: Nathan (Shelly), Darren (Kim), Jason (Katelyn) Novacek; Max (Melissa), Sam (Whitney) Otto; Ben (Whitney), Dillon (Courtney) Steinolfson. Her beloved great-grandchildren: Harper, Hailey, Tucker, Paxtyn, Maddyn, Suttyn, Roe, Ava, Charlie, Hayes, Drake and 1 more due in September. Her sister, Janice Large, Mahnomen, MN, brother-in-law Duane Otto, sister-in-law Sally Otto. Along with several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband James in 2021, her daughter-in-law, Paula Otto and her siblings: Eileen (George) Winkler, Melvin (Diane) Stegman and brother-in-law, Bruce Large.
Funeral services will be Thursday, July 23, 2026 at 1:00 PM at the Trinity Lutheran Church, Edinburg, ND. Visitation will be Thursday for one hour prior to the service at the church. Inurnment will be at the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Edinburg, ND. The funeral service will be livestreamed via Tollefson Funeral Home website.