Lois Margaret (Heckel) Yaeger passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 after a 15 year battle with Parkinson's disease. She was born on April 14, 1938 in Ida, Michigan, to Earl and Anne (Nadeau) Heckel and proudly considered herself a farm girl for the rest of her life. Lois was a 1956 graduate of Ida High School. On one fortuitous day in 1957, she found herself in need of a pair of shoes and wandered in to Yaeger's Shoes where Mike Yaeger happened to wait on her. Mike proceeded to close the sale in more ways than one and they were married on January 3, 1959. Their happy union lasted nearly 62 years before Mike's passing in December of 2020.
Lois had 2 callings in her life – motherhood (bearing 5 children in 7 years and fostering 19 infants through Catholic Social Services) and sales. Once she saw her youngest off to grade school, she picked up a shoe horn and began employment at Yaeger's Shoes where she excelled. She loved going to work every day as it afforded her the opportunity to be the social, people-loving person she was. Many of her customers were immediately enamored with her and became customers for life. She never forgot a person's shoe size even if, in more recent years, she may have struggled to remember their name!
Upon marriage to Mike, Lois joined St. Mary's Parish and remained an active member for the rest of her life. She was a lay minister, an original member of the Worship Committee and served on the Parish Council including as president. She worked closely with Reverend Brian Chabala and others to renovate the church in the late 1980's ahead of the parish's 200th anniversary and was extremely proud of the results. She faithfully went to Mass every Sunday at 7:30 AM and very much enjoyed her breakfasts with friends afterwards. Additionally, she served on the Mercy Memorial Hospital Board including as chairman and was an active member and past president of the Jayettes.
Upon retirement she enjoyed going to the YMCA to walk with friends and spending time with her large family. Oh, and lest we forget, she loved to drive her convertibles! Most of all Lois was a kind person with a beautiful smile she readily shared with all. She was a gentle woman who taught us wisdom and taught us love.
Surviving Lois are her children Steven (Tina), Michelle (Craig) Joseph, Renee (Tim) Beck, Yvonne (Todd) Stoner and Gregg (Holly) and her brothers Jim (Yvonne) Heckel, John (Linda) Heckel and Lynn Heckel. Lois is also survived by 13 adoring grandchildren: Michael Yaeger, Elisa Yaeger, Veronica Lois (Ryan) Roemer, Christina (Tyler) Carmony, Paul (Mary Mahoney) Joseph, Becca Joseph, Anne (Tyler) Jenks, Joseph (Kristie) Goethe, Jacob Goethe, Jonathan Stoner, Jenna Stoner, Quinn Yaeger and Avery Yaeger. She cherished her 7 great-grandchildren: Owen and Lucy Jenks, Ruby and Abigail Roemer, and Madeline, Cora and Isabelle Carmony. If you visited Lois at her house you HAD to look at the photos of her great-grands!
In addition to Mike, she was predeceased by her parents, brother Jerry, sister Sally Williams Rasmussen and brother-in-law Howard Williams.
The family would like to thank Right At Home for their compassionate care of Lois. We particularly appreciate Jeanne and Marlene who have become like family to us. We also extend thanks to Heartland Hospice for their guidance. A big hug to special friends Mary Lou and Jan who were so kind to Mom these last few years.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 2 – 7 pm at Bacarella Funeral Home, 1201 S. Telegraph Rd., Monroe, Michigan, 48161, where Deacon Mike Stewart will lead a Scripture Service at 7:00 pm. On Thursday, May 30, 2024, she will lie instate at St. Mary Catholic Church in Monroe from 10:00 am until Mass of the Resurrection celebrating Lois's life at 11:00 am. Fr. Brian Chabala will be the celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Monroe.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Mary Catholic Parish or the Monroe Family YMCA.
Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the family by visiting the obituary page at www.bacarellafuneralhome.com .