Lois Ann Zemliska Nelson passed away on Saturday August 10, 2019 of a massive stroke. Lois was born in Williston, ND on November 23, 1937 to Birdie and Edgar Zemliska. She was the fourth of nine children. At the time the family lived in the Round Prairie Community.
Lois graduated from Williston High School in 1955 and went to work full time at the Farmer’s Union Creamery. Her family moved off of the farm and into Williston in 1957 and later that year her father Edgar passed away leaving Birdie alone to raise the family.
On a blind date the summer of 1956 she met her future husband Orvis. Orvis was working for Gamble-Robinson and helping his father on the farm in Homestead Montana on the weekends. They were married in 1958 and in 1959 decided to move to the family farm full time.
In 1960 Kimberly was born, in 1963 Dale was born and in 1967 Dean was born. Lois quickly became the perfect farm wife. Her mother had taught her well how a family works as a team to get the work done. The family cannot remember a day when there weren’t fresh buns or donuts on the table when they came in from the field or school.
She felt blessed to have the neighbors and friends she had and thanked God every day for them. These friendships made it enjoyable to be involved in activities at her church and organizations such as the American Legion Auxiliary, Lady’s Aid, American Cancer Society, Music Mothers and 4-H. She also helped out as an election Judge and was a committee member for the Sheridan Daybreak. Caring for Veterans was important and every year she read the names of the Veterans at Memorial Day services, made sure any vets in the hospital or nursing homes had Christmas gifts and every year put flowers on the graves in many cemeteries.
Her fingers were seldom idle and if there was time, she was planning a cattle buyer’s dinner, tying bows for Williston Floral, planning another family reunion or making wedding cakes.
She grew up with strong family values and made it a priority to teach her children those values. The holidays were very important to her and she made them special for not only her immediate family but her extended family as well. She spent many hours scheming ways to bring all of her children, her siblings and their children together for the holidays. They were very happy events with activities such as singing around the Christmas tree or making lefsa.
Lois enjoyed traveling, especially the girl trips with her sisters. She also enjoyed the trips with her friends on the Nemont Board. Almost every trip had to include a stop to see relatives or friends along the way. Those relationships paid off as many of them would also stop to visit at the farm when traveling.
Her home was a happy place to be and this was especially evident when grandchildren, nieces or nephews would ask if they could stay and spend a few weeks. Of course they all knew about the treat bucket in the corner kitchen cabinet.
Lois was preceded in death by her parents, Edgar and Birdie Zemliska; two infant brothers and siblings, Luella, Linda and Leo.
She is survived by her husband, Orvis; her three children, Kimberly (Rick) Knick, Dale (Jodi) Nelson and Dean (Lynda) Nelson; grandchildren, Paydon, Cordel and Nolan Nelson, Brady (Sarah) Knick and Kami (Jeff) Dornfeld; two great-grandchildren, Kelson and Kaseton Dornfeld. She is also survived by three sisters, Laura (Joe) Quaglia, Leona (Bob) Zemliska and Loraine (Milt) Haugen.

Memorial Contribution