Lois Geneva Estrem, 82, of Kenyon, died on Monday, October 5, 2026, at her home.
She was born December 7, 1943, in rural Sogn, Minnesota, to Everett and Gladys (Esterby) Hommedahl.
She grew up in Cannon Falls. She started her schooling at District #47 school southeast of Urland Church. From there she went to Wastedo school and graduated from Cannon Falls High School in 1961. During school Lois worked at the Edgewood Restaurant. Lois was engaged on April 3 1961to John Estrem, and they were united in marriage on Saturday, February 17, 1962, in Urland Church in Cannon Falls. They were blessed with three children, John, Troy, and Beth. As parents John and Lois were at every sporting event and concert that their children were involved in. Lois didn’t just watch her kids play sports, she also watched the Timberwolves, Vikings, Twins and the Gophers.
While raising her family, Lois started working at the Wanamingo Bank and moved onto Northfield Bank, before working at the Security State Bank of Kenyon. For a couple years, Lois and John decided to manage hotels in Santa Barbra, California and Rochester, Minnesota. Lois would then return to the Security State Bank of Kenyon where she moved from teller to Assistant Vice President, later retiring after 39 years. People would wait in line just so she could be their teller so they could see her smile. They would also call ahead of time to see if she was working and if she wasn’t then they would choose a different day to make their deposits. Lois was very involved with the community of Kenyon, from the Gunderson House to many different hats at church. Lois and John’s generosity was felt when they opened their doors to let people live with them when they needed and place to rest their head.
Lois and John enjoyed their cabin while raising their family, sharing many memories with their family and friends. When they retired, they had a winter home in Mesa, Arizona, where they enjoyed entertaining and being snow birds. During their life they enjoyed traveling the world going to Norway, Panama Canal, Costa Rica, Hawaii and Alaska cruises, and making it to every state but Maine.
Mom would always tell her family to give where you can because you will always get back 10 fold. She lead by example.
She is survived by her husband John Estrem of Kenyon; sons, John (and Linda) Estrem of Red Wing, and Troy (and Joy) Estrem of Kenyon; grandchildren, Thor (and Kim), and Jason; great-grandchildren, Paige (and Joshua), Carson (and Samantha), brother, Erling (and Karen) Hommedahl; son-in-law, Noah Cashman, and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, step dad (Bill Thomas), daughter, Beth Cashman; brothers, Sherman Hommedahl and Kermit Hommedahl.
The family would like to give a special thanks to Sandy Doehling, Debra Herrlich and Holly Lexvold for their professional care. We would also like to thank all the staff from the Hospice Organization.
Visitation will be at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Kenyon on Friday, October 16, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 11:00 AM at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Kenyon with a visitation starting one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in the Kenyon Cemetery in Kenyon. Memorials are preferred to First Evangelical Lutheran Church.
