Lois Marie Gerrits

September 5, 1927 - March 28, 2016

Lois Gerrits of St. Clair died of natural causes on Monday, March 28, 2016. She was 88 years old. Bright, energetic, smiling, Lois was an inspiration to all who knew her. Lois was born in Madison, South Dakota to Raymond and Mary Evans. Lois was married for 57 years to James Gerrits, MD a family physician in St. Clair County. She attended nursing school after high school entering training as a Nurse Cadet in the US Army. Lois earned her RN, scoring high honors on the nursing exam. During her training Lois was deployed to Omaha, Nebraska to help fight the polio epidemic. There she met her husband a student at Creighton University. They were married in 1949. Lois loved spending time with her 8 children, chauffeuring them around St Clair County, sailing with her family and friends and especially spending time in her garden on the St. Clair River. During the Vietnam conflict, Lois volunteered with the US State department, serving a tour in Vietnam, as an RN caring for injured civilians. Lois had an incredibly full life, accomplishing everything she aspired to, and participating fully in all things. Lois is survived by her children, Linda Gerrits (Tony Harrison), Thomas Gerrits (Renae), Susan Gerrits (Kevin Murphy), Peggy Gerrits Nagler (Harman), Peter Gerrits (Charlotte), Patrick Gerrits (Kathy), Tim Gerrits (Julie), and 17 grandchildren. Lois was preceded in death by her son Andrew Gerrits and her husband. A memorial mass in her memory will be offered at St Mary's Church, 415 N. 6th St. St. Clair, Michigan, on Saturday April 9th 2016 at 11:00 am. The family will receive friends at church from 10 AM till 10:50 when the eulogy will be delivered followed by Mass at 11 AM Please join the family following the service to share memories and light refreshments. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary’s School, Doctor's Without Borders or Thumb Land Conservancy