Lois Alma Speelman

Speelman, Lois A.
(Nee Simons) Passed away on Thursday, August 3, 2017, age 106 years. Preceded in death by her husband Kenneth M. VanSickle and her children Kenneth and Marlene. Mother of Donald. Grandmother of Arlene(Daryl), Don, Shane(Deen), Shelly, Dawn, Jeff, and Chris. Great-Grandmother of 6 and great great-grandmother of 1. Also survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Lois was born in Nebraska and later moved to Columbus Junction, IA where she married Kenneth. He later passed away in 1942 at the age of 34 years. She then spent many years in Chicago before moving to the Milwaukee area in 1990. Lois was proud to work as a greeter at WalMart, retiring at the age of 102.

RESIDENT OF THE MONTH.
Lois Speelman
Lois was born in Nebraska in 1910, family move to Columbus Junction a few years later. Lois was one of 4 siblings. At age 17 Lois attended nursing school at Hershey Hospital in Muscatine Iowa.
Lois fell in love with Kenneth Van Sickle they married had three children together. Lois husband past away in 1942, so very young 34 while working, leaving Lois to raise three children on her own. Lois mourned for the loss of her husband while comforting her children. Lois after a while decided to get her drivers licenses and go to work. Lois landed a job as a switch board operator; follow by many other jobs such as secretary, restaurant and factory worker to support her family.
Lois became a very strong and independent woman raising three beautiful successful children. Lois enjoyed dancing, playing bingo with friends at local senior centers. Lois also enjoys reading and playing cards. Lois did find love a second time married Richard they lived together in Chicago but he passed away in late 1980. After mourning the loss of second husband Lois got a little stir crazy and decides to go back to work as a greeter at Sears in Chicago in the 1988.
After awhile Lois decides it was time to move closer to her family and move to Milwaukee in 1990. Lois is now the loving grand-mother of seven loving grandchildren, six great grand-children and 1 great-great grandchild. Lois has a son Donald who is now 79 and lives in Milwaukee, and two have since passed away.
Shortly after moving to Milwaukee Lois found a job at Kohl’s department store as a greeter for a couple years, than moved on to Wal-Mart at age 90 as a greeter. Lois retired at 95 for about two years, but Lois missed her co-workers and meeting new people so much went back.
Wal-Mart celebrated her 100 birthday and milestone as well as years of service offering her trip to their home office in Arkansas. Lois and a colleague travel together learning about the Wal-Mart philosophy and humble begins and meeting the founders and CEO of the organization. Lois was also able to do some sightseeing and visit some landmarks while in Arkansas.
Lois drove until she was 102 years old maintaining her independence, so full of life, extremely sociable, with a smile that truly was contagious! This made being a greeter the perfect job for her.
Lois came to call Cameo Care Campus her home three years ago moving into our Assist Living in Cameo Court North. Lois is celebrating her 107 birthday on August 25, 2017 with friends, family and staff at 2:30pm. Everyone is welcome to celebrate with us.
Read more at http://www.realityworld.com/news/walmart-greeter-turns-100-1019063m.php#vZSLFzx2CzVC4g80.99