Lois Mae Finkbeiner

Lois Mae Kenyon Finkbeiner passed peacefully October 1, 2021. in Grand Haven, Michigan in the 98th year of her remarkable life.  Lois was born in Woodland, MI in 1923 to Ernest and Ina Mae (nee Will) Kenyon.  She later moved to Hastings, MI where she graduated Hastings High School in 1941.  Her familial home was filled with eight siblings who shared great food, abundant fun and one bathroom.  Lois worked at the Windstorm Insurance Company in Hastings after graduation until she married Charles (Chuck) Finkbeiner in 1946 and together started their family.  Lois and Chuck ran a fuel oil distribution company in the Middleville area until the early 1960s when they began a life insurance business.  Their success led them to Jackson, MI in 1963 where they put down deep roots.  Lois worked alongside Chuck in the insurance business until his death in 1980.  Son Chuck E. took over the business and Lois continued working with him until her retirement at age 75.  Lois’ time in the Jackson area included living for fifteen years in Leslie, MI. and 12 years at Vista Grande Villa.  For many years Lois spent weekends traveling to Gun Lake, MI where she enjoyed entertaining friends and family. 

Lois loved traveling, dancing, playing cards, telling “stories”, reading and laughing.  Mostly she loved her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren who brought her absolute joy.   She will be remembered by her family and friends for her marvelous meals, her deep hair, her splashy clothes and her relentless positivity.  Lois was a lifelong Methodist first at Middleville Methodist Church where she served in the Guild and later at Jackson First United Methodist Church.

Lois was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Ina May Kenyon, her husband, Charles Finkbeiner, her siblings and their spouses, Russell (Rose) Kenyon, Robert (Dawn) Kenyon, Rex (Glora Mae) Kenyon, Louise (Verland) Ransom, Richard (Elizabeth) Kenyon, Raymond (Shirley) Kenyon, Jean (Bill) Jowett and infant Reginald Kenyon. 

Lois will be lovingly remembered and sorely missed by her three children, Pam (Gary) Fitzgerald of Phoenix, AZ, Cindy (Don) Anderson of Grand Haven, MI and Chuck (Paula Herschelman) of  Horton, MI.  She will also be remembered for her singing, her kindness and her positivity by her beloved granddaughters, Marlo (Chic) Naumer of Evergreen, CO.  Kristin (Harrison) Dean of Winston Salem, NC, and Hilary (Nick) Grant of Ferrysburg, MI, her step-grandchildren, Christopher (Tracey) Anderson of China, ME, Ryan (Melinda) Anderson of Seattle, Washington, Jeff (Stacy) Fitzgerald of Phoenix, AZ and Michael (Marnie) Fitzgerald of Austin, TX; her great-grandchildren,  Kennedy, Payton and Campbell Dean, Stella and Claire Naumer, Colson Grant, Mackenzie and Griffin Anderson, Hazel and Waker Anderson,  Katie and Ryan Fitzgerald,  Olivia, Annabel and Sarah Fitzgerald;  many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews,  an abundance of close friends, many of whom called her their second mom, and her beloved caregivers, Reka Buitenhuis and Alvina Boeve.     

No memorial service is scheduled at this time.  Those wishing to honor Lois’s life should consider donations to Hospice of North Ottawa Community, 1061 S Beacon Blvd Suite 200, Grand Haven, MI 49417

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