BOONE, Iowa—Lois Mae (Gildea) Riker, age 96, of Boone and the Eastern Star Masonic Home, passed away suddenly on Thursday, October 21, 2021 at the home with her family by her side.
Lois was born to Frederick F. and Bernice (Boyd) Gildea on April 23, 1925 at the family home in Boone County, Iowa. She grew up on the family farm in the Luther area and graduated from Luther High School in 1944.
On June 30, 1946, Lois was united in marriage with George Riker at the United Methodist Church in Luther, Iowa. They were the proud parents of seven children: Judy, Douglas, Gary, Karen, Dennis, Larry and Jim. Lois was a farmer’s wife and provided a happy and very structured home for George and their children. After the children were older, she was a press operator at Bourns in Ames.
Lois loved her large vegetable garden and also had beautiful flower beds. She was an excellent seamstress, sewing most of Judy and Karen’s dresses for school. Lois also loved a good competitive game of Pinochle. She and George were members of a neighborhood card club.
Lois was a lifetime member of the Order of the Eastern Star Magi Chapter No. 139 OES. She began volunteering at the Eastern Star Masonic Home in the 1980s and especially enjoyed helping with BINGO when her parents were residents there. Lois and George were members of and enjoyed camping with the Iowa Corn Belt Campers.
Lois was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Bernice; husband of 61 years, George; sons, Gary and Larry; daughter-in-law, Mary Riker; sister, Helen (Eugene) Absher; brothers, Harold (Mary) Gildea and William (Rosemary) Gildea; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Walter (Marjorie) Riker, Robert (Helen) Riker, Herbert (Jaqueline) Riker and Ruth (Glenn) Hulse.
She is survived by her children, Judy Smith-Atwood (Leland Atwood), Douglas (Marlene) Riker, Karen Walters, Dennis Riker, and Jim (Jan) Riker; 10 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild; many nieces, nephews and other relatives.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, November 13, 2021 at the Eastern Star Masonic Home Chapel. Face masks and COVID screening will be required. Everyone is asked to enter the chapel through the door west of the main entrance off of Mamie Eisenhower Ave. Private Family Burial will be held in Squire Boone Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to the Eastern Star Masonic Home Scholarship Fund.
Online condolences may be left to Lois’ family at www.schroedermemorialchapel.com.
Schroeder-Reimers Memorial Chapel at Sixth and Marshall Streets is in charge of arrangements.
Lois’ family would like to express their appreciation for the excellent care and kindness from the Eastern Star Masonic Home Staff.
Lois Riker, 96, Boone, Iowa and the Eastern Star Masonic Home in Boone, Iowa
