Lois May (Gildner) VonKarowsky, 90, of Goshen, passed away on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at Center for Hospice Care's Esther House in Elkhart. She was born on June 27, 1934, in Elkhart, to the late Charles and Bertha (Walter) Gildner. On June 27, 1974, Lois married the love her life, the late Donald VonKarowsky.

Lois is survived by her loving children, Karen (Enrique) Ortiz of Goshen, Deborah (James) Reed of Elkhart, William (Marsha) Holdeman of Goshen, Cynthia (Mark) Coleman of Naples, FL, and Sandra (Randall) Barden of Nappanee; 16 adoring grandchildren; 36 wonderful great-grandchildren; 4 lovely great-great-grandchildren; brother, Raymond Gildner of Elkhart; and a loving host of extended family, friends, church family, and acquaintances.

In addition to her husband and parents, Lois was preceded in death by her former spouse, J. Eugene Holdeman; granddaughter, Andrea Ortiz; and nine siblings.

Services for Lois will be held on Monday, September 30, 2024, at St. Mary of the Annunciation Catholic Church, 411 W Vistula St, Bristol, IN 46507, with a Mass of Christian Burial service beginning at 12 PM. Two hours of visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 10 AM. Father Bob Van Kempen will officiate. Burial and graveside services will follow at Sugar Grove Cemetery in Goshen.

Lois, along with her family, were strong in their Catholic faith. The children grew up in the church and attended St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School, where each child proudly graduated from. Faith continued to be an integral part of Lois' life, helping her to become a parishioner at St. Mary of the Annunciation Catholic Church in Bristol for the last 50 years. She was quick and willing to volunteer in any area the church needed, attended daily devotionals and other services either in person or online, and always cherished her close friendship and mentorship with Father Bob Van Kempen over the years.

Lois held many jobs throughout her life. In her earlier years, she and her identical twin sister, Louise, owned and operated The Twins Coffee Shop in San Diego, CA. When she moved back to the Elkhart area, Lois attended Elkhart Beauty College, worked alongside her husband running Allied Fence Company, and was in customer service for Miles Laboratories for about 10 years.

In Lois' earlier years, she enjoyed entertaining friends and family, spending many nights hosting Euchre parties, and travelling alongside her husband to Las Vegas. She also was a phenomenal cook, notably making her famous potato salad and oatmeal cookies for all to enjoy, and a lover of all kinds of books.

Lois will best be remembered as a generous, loving, determined, loyal, and independent soul who was all about her family, especially her grandchildren, and strong in her Catholic faith. She, along with all the love and joy she shared, will be dearly missed by those whose hearts she touched throughout her life.

The family of would like to thank the staff at Center for Hospice Care for their wonderful care and love they showed Lois in her final days and the support they provided to the family during this time.

Memorial donations made in Lois' honor can be directed to the Center for Hospice Care, 501 Comfort Pl, Mishawaka, IN 46545, or at https://foundationforhospice.org/donate/.

Center for Hospice Care
501 Comfort Place, Mishawaka IN 46545
Tel: 1-800-413-9083
Email: info@foundationforhospice.org
Web: https://foundationforhospice.org/donate/