Lois Amelia Bidwell

Lois Amelia (Wentzel) Bidwell

Born November 03, 1930 in Ring, WI to George Wentzel & Blodwen (Davis) Wentzel, Lois grew up on a farm near Omro, graduating as Salutatorian of the Omro High School class of 1948. She received a nursing degree from the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Oshkosh, a 3-year program that ran year-round with nursing students working in the hospital as much as in the classroom. Lois began & ended her nursing career at Mercy Medical Center, with brief stints at St. Joe's Infirmary in Louisville, KY & Waukesha Memorial in Waukesha, WI. She worked in Ob/Gyn, pediatrics, med/surg & surgical recovery. After retiring she served as a volunteer at Mercy for several years.

Lois married Reg Bidwell, her high school boyfriend, on March 11, 1953. They enjoyed 66 years of marriage, raising five children: Jane (Bruce) Seston, Kay (Bruce) Loberg, Brian (Lori) Bidwell, Gary (Katherine) Bidwell & Greg (Karen) Bidwell. The family enjoyed many adventures, including camping trips around Wisconsin & long trips to the Eastern & Western US.

Lois has 14 much-loved grandchildren: Adam, Kevin (Jennifer) & Marcia Seston; Brent (Ryan Handerhan) & Alex Aronowitz; Catherine (Austin) Keenan, James, & Michael Bidwell; Amanda (Earle Wilson) Bidwell, Lauren (Michael) Albright & Molly Bidwell; Jacob, Ryan (Sarah) & Ethan Bidwell - & 5 adorable great-grandchildren: Spencer & Avery Seston, Kwame Wilson, Damon Bidwell & Augusta Keenan.

An active member of First Presbyterian Church of Oshkosh for many years, Lois served as a Deacon & Elder, sang in the choir, played bells & assisted with many church functions. When her children were younger, she manned the church nursery school, was a Campfire Leader, Cub Scout Den Mother & active in Parent Teacher Association. Lois volunteered for Red Cross Blood drives, taking health histories of potential blood doners.

Lois & Reg were avid dancers, joining both square & round dance groups, attending many state dance gatherings & camping events. They enjoyed attending theater productions, biking, cross-country skiing, swimming, playing cards with friends & traveling. They visited many US states & countries across the globe on trips with the ROAD Scholars & other guided adventures. A favorite trip was to Alaska with Reg. Lois loved to read & was a true wordsmith. She was good at crossword puzzles & nearly impossible to beat at Scrabble!

Lois was a life-long caregiver. She was with several family members when they passed- among them her mother Blodwen, SIL Beverly, & siblings Leslie & Ardyth. She enjoyed baking, keeping a supply of cookies in the jar & making her own bread. No holiday was complete without her home-made buns.

Lois was preceded in death by her husband, Reginald (Reg) Bidwell; parents, George & Blodwen Wentzel; brothers & their wives, Roy (Gen), Bruce (Helen) & Leslie Wentzel; sisters & their husbands, Marion (Ken) Shuck) & Ardyth (Rod) Hoeft; father & mother-in-law, James & Viva Bidwell; sister-in law, Beverly (Bidwell) Clausen; brother-in-law & wife, Dwight (Barbara) Bidwell.

The family wishes to thank Bethel Home & Moments Hospice for their loving care. A celebration of Life will be held at Konrad-Behlman Funeral Home on Lake Pointe Dr. in Oshkosh on Saturday, Oct 24. Visitation will be 3-5pm with service & luncheon to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your favorite charity.