Lois V (Howell) Birkenholz

Lois Verlene Birkenholz, 93, formerly of Newton, died on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at Harmony West Des Moines. No services are scheduled at this time. Memorials to St. Croix Hospice may be left at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory.

Lois, the daughter of Theodore and Helen (Rivers) Howell, was born on March 18, 1932, in Newton. She grew up in Newton and graduated from Newton High School. During high school, Lois worked at the Capitol Theater and then at the candy counter at Woolworths, where she would catch the eye of Donald Birkenholz. On February 14, 1951, Donald and Lois were married in Newton.  They would make Newton their home until 1964, when they moved to Mitchellville and then later Altoona. Lois worked for the Mitchellville Farmers Savings Bank, DCI, and then at an Altoona nursing home. She also enjoyed coming back to Newton and helping at Larchwood Florist during holidays and busy times. Lois sang in the church choir at the Christian Church in Mitchellville.  She also liked bowling, flower gardening, and playing piano.

After retirement, Don and Lois moved to Missouri.  In 2010, following Don’s death, she moved to Arizona.  Lois would later move back to Iowa in 2017. 

Those left to honor Lois’ memory are her sons, Ron Birkenholz of West Des Moines and Doug (Virginia) Birkenholz of Buckeye, Arizona; grandchildren, Andrew (Nicole) Birkenholz, Tyler Birkenholz (Corinne Hurst), Jenna (Bryce) Nannenga, Spencer (Emily) Birkenholz, Matt (Kelly) Birkenholz, and Tony (Erica) Birkenholz; her 12 great-grandchildren; and a sister-in-law, Lillian Howell of Newton.  She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Donald Birkenholz in 2009; and her brother, Rev. Dr. Jerry Howell.

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