Lois Mae(Isackson) Zarling, most loved mom, grandma, great-grandma and friend, died Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019, in Cheyenne, Wyoming at the age of 85. She was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church. Cremation has taken place. A celebration of her life will take place in the summer of 2020 when all of her family and close friends can be together.
Lois was born May 8, 1934, on the family farm near Galchutt, N.D., to Henning and Borghild (Bakken) Isackson. She was the youngest of four children. Lois attended a country school which was located on the family farm. She went to Galchutt High School, graduating in 1952. After graduation, she enrolled at Science School in Wahpeton, N.D., for a short time. Lois went to work at Farmers & Merchants Bank in Breckenridge, Minn., where she met her best friend Harlan (Bud) Zarling. They were married June 26, 1954, in Galchutt.
Together, they worked at the bank until they purchased The Valley Alert newspaper in Breckenridge. During their time in Breckenridge, they were blessed with five children: Deb, Becky, Gregg, Rick and Terri. In 1968, the family headed west to Torrington, where they owned and operated the Torrington Telegram until 1980. At that time, they moved to Rapid City, S.D., to operate the Tom’s Snack Franchise.
They retired in January 2002 and returned to Torrington where Bud and Lois spent their time enjoying family! Their days were filled following any and all of their grandchildren’s events. Bud passed away in 2009. At that time, Lois moved into the Golden Manor, where she spent many hours with her friends, sharing stories over coffee. Nothing was more important to Lois than her family and her faith. She found the most joy tagging along to the events of her great-grandchildren. She always looked forward to catching up with those far away through Sunday phone calls. In July 2019, her entire family gathered to celebrate her 85th birthday.
She is survived by her children Deb (Allen) Hunter, Becky (Ron) Nighswonger, Gregg Zarling, Rick (Jennifer) Zarling, and Terri Zarling. Her 13 grandchildren Maci Nelson, Wade Hunter, Brady Nighswonger, Abby Bruch, Darby Hoffman, Ashlyn Stephensen, Zachary Zarling, Jocelyn Zarling, William Zarling, Thomas Davis, Ryan Anderson, Oren Anderson and her most loved 23 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband Bud, her parents, a brother and two sisters.
Memorials in her name may be given to Our Savior Lutheran Church or the Golden Manor.
