Lois Siering

Lois Victoria Siering (nee: Paul) of Saint Charles, MO, died Monday, July 20, 2015, at the age of 81. Beloved wife of the late Wray Siering; cherished daughter of the late Herman and Lydia Paul; devoted mother of Victoria (David) Wilson, Sharon (Dan) McBride-Sager, Susan (Raul) Consuegra, and Rebecca Schmalzer; loving grandmother of Shaylyn, Emily, Adrien, Shauna, Corey, Sofia, Ava, Brian, and Blake; dear sister of Helen Nolte and the late John Paul. Lois is also preceded in death by her son-in-law, David Schmalzer and brother-in-law, Earl Nolte.
Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran School Scholarship Fund, 1361 7th Avenue SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404.
Lois' Biography Below
Lois Siering (nee Paul) was born January 21, 1934 in Minneapolis, MN, youngest daughter of Reverend H. L. and Lydia Paul.  Her siblings included John Paul and Helen Nolte (nee Paul).  She was baptized by her father immediately having been born with spina bifida and not expected to survive, much less walk, go to college, marry and have children.  Her survival was the first of her many medical miracles she would enjoy by the grace of God.
Helen was Lois treasured friend and sister. She provided strength, comfort, security and love throughout Lois' life. Helen continues to surround Lois' children and grandchild with her nurturing love and kindness.
She was raised and attended elementary and high school in Robbinsdale, MN.  She graduated from Concordia College, St. Paul, MN with her Lutheran teacher training.  Her first call was to Trinity Lutheran School in Cedar Rapids, IA at the young age of 20.  She taught grades K through 4th in a two room school from 1953 to 1957.
Growing up, we often heard of how much she loved Cedar Rapids.  She took 10 or so of her grade school children on the train to Minnesota to spend time with her parents and family.  The children sang at Grandpa's Sunday morning church service at Trinity Lone Oak, Eagan, Minnesota.
After 4 years she decided there were not enough men in Cedar Rapids and so she accepted the call to teach at Marcus Lutheran School in St. Louis, MO.  There one of her students, Margie Siering, said'¦'have I got a brother for you!' Lois was introduced to the love of her life, Wray Siering.  She asked him to blow up balloons for her at the church picnic.  It didn't take long for her to fall in love with Wray and his 7 siblings.  She enjoyed going to their house every Sunday after church for dinner (although she mentioned she was a little overwhelmed by how loud they all were and the fact many of them were smoking cigarettes and drinking highballs.)  She wasn't quite sure what her parents would think.
Wray Siering, however, was a charmer and Lois' mom, Lydia Paul, soon fell in love as well.
They were married on August 2, 1959 with the service being officiated by her father, Rev. H.L. Paul.  Their first daughter, Victoria, we believe, was a honeymoon baby, being born 2 weeks overdue in June, 1960.  15 months later, daughter Sharon followed, and 27 months later, daughter Susan arrived'¦.at which point Grandpa Paul said to her 'OK'¦you've proved your point'¦.you can have children.'
She always adored her big sister Helen and it appears she may have been a bit competitive, as Lois had one more daughter than Helen's 3, with daughter Rebecca arriving June, 1967'¦.and our family was complete.
Through the years Lois doted on her husband and 4 daughters, showering them with love and chocolate chip cookies.
As her children grew, she went back to school teaching at St. Matthews Lutheran School in St. Louis along with her longtime friend and fellow teacher, Virginia Lockett.
In the years that followed, Lois and Wray welcomed 9 grandchildren into their lives: Shauna, Corey, Shaylyn, Emily, Adrien, Brian, Blake, Sofia and Ava.  Lois loved nothing more than holding her grandbabies.
Crocheting blankets was a close second though, with her having made afghans for every child, grandchild, niece, nephew, neighbor, friend'¦too numerous to count.
Wray left our world to join Jesus in 2002.  While greatly saddened, Lois continued to enjoy life by  playing Bridge, being an avid reader and a diligent student of the Bible.  Nothing brought her greater joy then spending time with our Lord and singing hymns.  When she felt sad or alone, we would ask her to sing 'Jesus loves Me' or her wedding Hymn 'All Depends on our Possessing' with us, both of which would bring an immediate smile to her face.  She knew the words of most hymns by heart.  If we tried to cheer her up while she felt sad and we would attempt to sing (badly butchering the words and the music), she would open her eyes and correct us.
Through the years Lois experienced great joy in spite of many medical hurdles, having survived 4+ brain surgeries, a couple of spinal column surgeries. Our God has walked alongside her every step of the way.  He spoke through her to all who knew her.  There are many more souls in heaven due to this beautiful soul He placed on earth.
We feel and know great joy and peace because we know our mama is celebrating with Jesus, holding her husband's hand, visiting with her parents, loving that her son in law David is there to share in God's peace, love and joy.  We know she is singing with the angels and holding all those babies who are there without their mommies.  She is pain free, happy and loving her new life.
We miss you our Mommy, we love you and we thank you for sharing Jesus with us so we know it is not 'Good bye', it is just a temporary separation.
Till we meet again'¦..