The Life of LOIS PEARSON WEBB
Lois Pearson Webb (Gillaspy Seymour) was born in Des Moines, Iowa on the eve of summer, June 20, 1925, to Charlotte and Emil Pearson. The last of the Pearson Girls died on January 16, 2016.
Although Lois began a family that needed a flow chart to be properly understood, we will make it as simple as she did. She is survived by her husband, Joseph P. Webb, her daughters Kila Christensen (Tom), Gale Charlotte (Karen Adams), and Marcela Webb, sons Mike (Janet) Webb, and Larry (Joanne) Webb, and daughter-in-law, Judy Gillaspy Oliver. She leaves a legacy in her 11 grandchildren: Marci (Kelly) Cordaro, Nicki (Dan) Jensen, Meggan Christensen, Eric (Karen) Gillaspy, Jason (Christine) Webb, Lisa Webb, Steven (Stacy) Webb, Erika Kvam (Jon Maj), Peter Kvam, Krista Webb, Justin Webb, Abbie (Andrew) Martin, and Ashley (Evan) Stamey. She touched the lives of her 14 great-grandchildren. She is survived, and mourned by, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and their children all across the world—it’s no wonder her favorite piece of furniture was a globe.
Lois was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, Brenton and Alfred, her sisters, Ann Evans Krumwiede and Norma Tangeman and two sons, Kelly Gillaspy and Daniel Webb.
Lois lived in Des Moines for most of her life; she remembered skiing down the Broad Street hill, lived in a house that was built by her father, and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1943. She also lived in Florida and in Arizona, but most recently resided in the Altoona and Ankeny areas. Lois worked at Hyperion Golf and Country Club for over 20 years, worked at a number of auto dealers in the Des Moines area, and retired from Armstrong Tire and Rubber Company.
Even though she worked full-time and raised seven children, she still had time to sew, crochet, quilt, and knit; so many of us were grateful recipients of her art. She had time to bake with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and loved Cookie Weekend more than anything else in the year. After she retired, she never missed a concert, play, or Grandparent’s Day if she could make it. Lois loved her friends and extended family; if anyone needed her, she was right there, usually arriving with an apple pie. She was amazed at the evolution of technology that started with a hand-cranked telephone and most recently allowed her to Skype with her grandchildren living halfway across the world. She loved photographs, and it was a proud moment when she mastered Facebook, which connected her to friends and family, and allowed her to see what they were doing. Lois was a survivor—she conquered breast cancer and lymphoma, and only died when her hard-working heart just got too tired. If nothing else, her family knew she loved them and was proud of them—she signed every birthday card just that way, “With love and pride…”
Lois was a deeply spiritual woman; over the years, she attended many churches in the Des Moines area. We are grateful to the support she received from her church family at Ss. John and Paul Catholic Church in Altoona. We are also grateful for the loving care she received from Taylor House Hospice (we thank the Taylor family for making such a facility possible).
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 20, 2016, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Hamilton’s Altoona Funeral Home, 105 4th Street SW in Altoona, with a 7 p.m. Rosary recited by the Knights of Columbus, and a 7:30 p.m. Wake Service. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 21, 2016, at Ss. John and Paul Catholic Church, 1401 1st Avenue South.
In loving memory of Lois, memorial contributions may be directed to Ss. John and Paul Catholic Church, Link Associates, the American Cancer Society, or Taylor House Hospice – UnityPoint.
Although Lois began a family that needed a flow chart to be properly understood, we will make it as simple as she did. She is survived by her husband, Joseph P. Webb, her daughters Kila Christensen (Tom), Gale Charlotte (Karen Adams), and Marcela Webb, sons Mike (Janet) Webb, and Larry (Joanne) Webb, and daughter-in-law, Judy Gillaspy Oliver. She leaves a legacy in her 11 grandchildren: Marci (Kelly) Cordaro, Nicki (Dan) Jensen, Meggan Christensen, Eric (Karen) Gillaspy, Jason (Christine) Webb, Lisa Webb, Steven (Stacy) Webb, Erika Kvam (Jon Maj), Peter Kvam, Krista Webb, Justin Webb, Abbie (Andrew) Martin, and Ashley (Evan) Stamey. She touched the lives of her 14 great-grandchildren. She is survived, and mourned by, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and their children all across the world—it’s no wonder her favorite piece of furniture was a globe.
Lois was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, Brenton and Alfred, her sisters, Ann Evans Krumwiede and Norma Tangeman and two sons, Kelly Gillaspy and Daniel Webb.
Lois lived in Des Moines for most of her life; she remembered skiing down the Broad Street hill, lived in a house that was built by her father, and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1943. She also lived in Florida and in Arizona, but most recently resided in the Altoona and Ankeny areas. Lois worked at Hyperion Golf and Country Club for over 20 years, worked at a number of auto dealers in the Des Moines area, and retired from Armstrong Tire and Rubber Company.
Even though she worked full-time and raised seven children, she still had time to sew, crochet, quilt, and knit; so many of us were grateful recipients of her art. She had time to bake with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and loved Cookie Weekend more than anything else in the year. After she retired, she never missed a concert, play, or Grandparent’s Day if she could make it. Lois loved her friends and extended family; if anyone needed her, she was right there, usually arriving with an apple pie. She was amazed at the evolution of technology that started with a hand-cranked telephone and most recently allowed her to Skype with her grandchildren living halfway across the world. She loved photographs, and it was a proud moment when she mastered Facebook, which connected her to friends and family, and allowed her to see what they were doing. Lois was a survivor—she conquered breast cancer and lymphoma, and only died when her hard-working heart just got too tired. If nothing else, her family knew she loved them and was proud of them—she signed every birthday card just that way, “With love and pride…”
Lois was a deeply spiritual woman; over the years, she attended many churches in the Des Moines area. We are grateful to the support she received from her church family at Ss. John and Paul Catholic Church in Altoona. We are also grateful for the loving care she received from Taylor House Hospice (we thank the Taylor family for making such a facility possible).
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 20, 2016, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Hamilton’s Altoona Funeral Home, 105 4th Street SW in Altoona, with a 7 p.m. Rosary recited by the Knights of Columbus, and a 7:30 p.m. Wake Service. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 21, 2016, at Ss. John and Paul Catholic Church, 1401 1st Avenue South.
In loving memory of Lois, memorial contributions may be directed to Ss. John and Paul Catholic Church, Link Associates, the American Cancer Society, or Taylor House Hospice – UnityPoint.