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Lois Young Bjerkestrand, 85

Lois Young Bjerkestrand passed away May 15, 2017, at the Hospice of North Idaho Schneidmiller House in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, one month short of her 86th birthday. Lois was born in Landour Mussoorie, U.P., India, to missionary parents S. Jay and Ida Hosteller. Her early schooling included Mount Harmon School in Darjeeling, Bengal, India, and Woodstock School in Mussoorie U.P., India, where she graduated in 1948.

In the United States, she graduated from Goshen College in Goshen, Ind., with a degree in education. She spent her 32-year career teaching for Constantine public schools in Constantine, Mich., until retiring in 1989.

In 1954, she married Lowell Young who preceded her in death in 1988. Lois and Lowell had two daughters: Penny Young, now in Jennison, Mich., and Nancy Maloney, currently residing in Greer, S.C.

In 1997, Lois married David Bjerkestrand, a childhood friend and schoolmate from India days. They were happily married for 20 years. Lois sang in the choir at Trinity Lutheran Church in Coeur d’Alene. While attending Trinity, she enjoyed putting up bulletin boards with a “sermon at a glance” theme. Lois tried to live by the “C Words”: civility, cooperation, compassion, compromise and consideration. She was a Christian child of God.

Lois is survived by her husband, David; her daughters, Penny Young Sanders (Steve) and Nancy Maloney (Joe); and four grandchildren, Spencer Sanders, Reed Sanders, Linda Maloney and Joseph Maloney.

A memorial service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church at a later date. Yates Funeral Homes has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements.