Lois R. Kotz

Lois R. Kotz, 97, of Clear Lake, passed away on Friday, August 21, 2026 at Oakwood Care Center in Clear Lake.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 am, Saturday, August 29th at St. John Lutheran Church east of Garner with Rev. Mark Lund officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 pm, Friday, at Cataldo Funeral Chapel, 160 E. 4th St., Garner and will continue one hour prior to services at the church.

Memorials may be directed to Lutheran Family Service in Fort Dodge.

Lois Ruth Kotz, the daughter of Theodore and Marie (Hinrichs) Boehnke, was born on February 27, 1929 on the family farm northwest of Ventura. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church where she was a lifetime member. Lois attended St. John Parochial School and graduated from Ventura High School where she played basketball and was elected Basketball Pep Queen. She also was elected Miss Ventura for the Mason City Band Festival. She married Edward Kotz, Sr. in 1947 and they farmed in the Garner area until 1959 when they purchased The Barrel Drive In, Clear Lake. Lois served two terms on the Clear Lake City Council and served two terms as Mayor of the City of Clear Lake.

She served her Lord in many different organizations of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, holding numerous local offices in local, district, state and international LCMS organizations. Lois also volunteered with a number of local service groups including Mercy Hospital Volunteers and Cerro Gordo County Republicans.

Lois is survived by her two children, Edward, Jr. (Kandi) Kotz of Custer, SD and Tracie (Dale) Dean of Flippin, AR; five grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She also claimed Lowell (Carol) Washburn of Clear Lake as her #2 son because he took such good care of her through the years.

She was preceded in death by her parents; former husband, Edward Kotz, Sr.; two infant sons; a sister, Violet Kelck; and brother, Gordon Boehnke.