Mary Lois (Symonds) Carlisle, was born August 21, 1923 on the family farm south of Massena, IA and passed away on July 21, 2019, at the age of 95 years and 11 months.

She was the daughter of Ernest and Lina (Walker) Symonds. She grew up on the farm and attended school at the Bell Country School.  When she was 13, the family moved near Cumberland, IA, where she attended Cumberland High School and graduated with the "Class of 1941".  After graduation she taught in local country schools.

On November 21, 1942, Lois married Kenneth Carlisle. In 1944, when Kenneth returned from the service, they moved to the farm north of Griswold where they raised their three children, Danny, Vickie and Sue.  After Kenneth passed away, Lois moved from the farm to her home in Griswold in 1991.

Lois was a member of the Griswold United Methodist Church for over 60 years, and was active in the UMC Morning Circle, the American Legion Auxiliary, and Rebecca Lodge No. 480. In addition to spending time with her family, she enjoyed landscape painting, gardening, quilting, and reading.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Kenneth in 1990, her brothers and sister: Bill, Fran, Carl, Bob, Belle, Russ and Dale.

Lois is survived by her children Danny (Judie) Carlisle of Clive, IA, Vickie Elwood (Ed) of Griswold, IA, and Sue (Dennis) Peterson of Red Oak, IA; her grandchildren: Dan (Kate) Elwood of Stanton, IA, Kevin (Shana) Elwood of Treynor, IA, and Chris (Callie) Elwood of Mt. Ayr, IA; 9 great grandchildren, and 3 great great-grandchildren, plus many nieces, nephews and friends.

A funeral service for Lois will be Saturday, July 27, 2019 at 11:00 AM at the Griswold United Methodist Church. Interment will be in the Griswold Cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday, July 26, 2019, from 5:30 to 7:00 PM at the Griswold United Methodist Church. Memorials are suggested to the Griswold United Methodist Church or the Griswold Public Library.  Rieken Funeral Home in Griswold is assisting the family with the arrangements.