Lois Koester Kriebs

Lois was born on June 6, 1935, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Carl T. and Leora Koester. She grew up attending Hubbell Elementary, Callanan Junior High and Roosevelt High School. Lois was the youngest of four children and raised in a caring, faith centered family where her parents gave her much love and support, encouraged lifelong learning and instilled a strong work ethic.

Lois was active in Girl Scouts for many years and received her Curved Bar, their highest honor, now known as Gold Award. At 16, she had the honor of being selected as one of only 90 Girl Scouts in the nation to attend a nearly month-long leadership encampment experience in Wyoming. Scouting and being a member of the Roosevelt Leaders provided opportunities for growth in leadership skills which she applied to all aspects of her life. While at Roosevelt, Lois also earned a varsity letter in tennis.

In 1955, during her second year at the University of Iowa, Lois married Clark L. Miller. They had four children together: Kennon, Kathryn, Kurt and Karlan. While living in Connecticut they had their first two children and she completed her Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1958 at Quinnipiac University. A few years later, the family returned to Iowa where the two younger children were born.

Following a divorce in 1970, Lois married Roger F. Kriebs Sr. in 1972. Their family grew by three with the addition of Roger’s children, Linda, Pam and Roger Jr. They had a wonderful marriage lasting 48 years until Roger’s passing in 2020. They thoroughly enjoyed visiting their children, grandchildren and eventually great grandchildren. Family was especially important to Lois and Roger and they made it a point to visit each grandchild, no matter how far away they lived, as soon as possible when they were born.

Their love for the outdoors and water activities led Lois and Roger (known as Bops to many) to buy a weekend place at Lake Panorama where they became avid golfers and boaters. In 1994, they built their year-round dream home at the lake where they continued to enjoy entertaining family and many friends until 2007. They were famous for hosting a special time each summer known as “Grandchildren’s Week” when all the grandchildren came and stayed without their parents in tow. Lois and Roger played card games, planned activities, meals and treats and would take the grandkids out water sporting every day. So many wonderful memories were made during those years.

Lois and Roger were well known as a cookie baking and candy making team, especially at Christmas time. Their peanut brittle, English toffee and caramels were favorites of many. A variety of cookies was always available or as close as a container in the freezer. Other cooking specialties included: freezer corn, freezer jam, grilled Iowa chops and ribeye steaks. They truly enjoyed entertaining and preparing meals for family and friends.

Passionate about volunteering, Lois served on the boards of many organizations, including Girl Scouts of Moingona Council, Lake Panorama Association, Children & Families of Iowa and United Way of Central Iowa. She was a 60-year member of P.E.O. Chapter IE and a Deacon at Plymouth United Church of Christ where she continued to be involved with numerous activities until the time of her death. If Lois was on your committee, board or project, you knew there would be a successful outcome due to her enthusiasm, dedication and leadership.

Moving back to Des Moines in 2007 allowed Lois and Roger to become more involved again in their numerous volunteer projects with The FreeStore, United Way, Plymouth and the Bridge House.

In 2014 Lois and Roger moved into Scottish Rite Park where they renewed existing friendships and formed many new ones. Lois maintained a wide circle of friends many dating back to her childhood.

At SRP, Lois continued her interests of duplicate bridge and gardening. She was also an avid photographer of landmarks around Des Moines turning her work into notecards and prints, some of which are displayed at SRP.

One of Lois’ greatest loves was working in her garden where she could happily be found during mornings and long evenings of summer. Whether it was growing zinnias, tulips, daffodils, snapdragons, roses, lettuce, spinach, beans, peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, and recently Brussels sprouts, there was always something to be lovingly tended to and she did her best to eliminate all the weeds. Many a grandchild spent happy times with her picking flowers and vegetables. Lois was a Master Gardener who willingly shared her knowledge, experience and tips which encouraged the next generation of family to carry on her enthusiasm for gardening. The gardens at Scottish Rite Park have benefitted from her organizing efforts and guidance.

When Lois and Roger took vacations, they visited their children and families, often timing their visits so they could proudly attend graduations, sporting events, dance recitals, music performances and other activities in which the grandchildren were involved. When they retired, they became snowbirds spending much of the winter in Phoenix and later years in Fort Myers Beach so they could enjoy golf and their active lifestyle.

Lois worked at Valley National Bank in downtown Des Moines (now known as US Bank). She was the VP of Human Resources until she retired in 1993. She truly enjoyed her job and the people she worked with.

With Roger’s passing in 2020, Lois continued to receive love and support from her Scottish Rite Park friends. She also enjoyed spending time with her good friend Glenn Zimmerman. They shared many happy times together. Many thanks to all who have walked this journey with her; Unity Point Hospice, Plymouth Church staff, friends and loving family.

More than anything else, Lois relied on her faith throughout life during good times and challenging times, and most especially her recent health diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Lois died peacefully on January 13, 2023 with family by her side.

She is survived by her children, Kathryn (Robert) Lynn; Kurt (Heather) Miller; Karlan (Kenneth) Mergl; Linda (Sam) Hatmacher; Pam (Rick) Prenger; Roger (Dana Neumann) Kriebs Jr.; 10 grandchildren,
5 great-grandchildren; brother, Richard (Didi) Koester, and special friend Glenn Zimmerman. Lois was preceded in death by her husband, Roger Kriebs Sr.; son Kennon Miller; parents, Carl T. and Leora Koester; and sisters, Marjorie Koester and Betty (Kit) Kitzman.

A Memorial Service will be held at Plymouth Congregational Church UCC on Sunday, January 29, 2023 at 1:30 p.m.

If desired, memorial contributions may be made to:

Scottish Rite Park good Life Fund/Garden Club

Plymouth Congregational Church UCC Foundation
4126 Ingersoll Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50312

The FreeStore
1020 24th Street
West Des Moines, IA 50266
Attention: Larry Anderson

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