1931 – 2023

Lois Rode Elias of Fort Pierce, Florida, passed away on March 26, 2023 at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri at the age of 91. Lois was born on December 19, 1931, in Visalia, California to Rev E.A. Rode and W. Henriette Edelmann Rode.  On March 16, 1953, she married George Elias of Mount Pleasant, Michigan. Together they raised three daughters and had 9 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Erwin Rode of Chatham, New Jersey, brother Hubert Rode, her sister Luella Hershey of Lansing, Michigan, her husband George Elias (1931-1998), and her son-in-law Howard Veltman of Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Lois spent her youth in the San Joaquin Valley of California, graduating in 1949 from Tulare Union High School. She was an athlete and an artist. After high school, she began her post graduate adventures working with Western Union and soon moved east to Michigan where she met and married George Elias. They spent their early marriage in Merced, California while George served in the U.S. Air force. After his service, they returned to Michigan where George completed his college education. They spent 25 years in Lake Orion, Michigan. There, Lois continued her own education at Oakland Community College, eventually becoming a full-time employee in both the Social Science and Athletic departments. They spent their golden years in Fort Pierce, Florida after George’s retirement.

Lois was a woman of deep faith in Jesus Christ and a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church.

Lois was a fun-loving, kind, and generous friend and colleague who kept her sense of humor and a smile in all sorts of trying circumstances throughout her life. She was never far from a tennis court, continuing her athleticism well into her 80s. She was ever the sports fan, watching as much tennis as she could, along with basketball and college football. An excellent dancer and well versed in music, she enjoyed listening to big band and classical works. She also had a love for hymns and gospel genres. She was a seasoned camper and was able to travel much of the United States and Canada in her lifetime. She enjoyed reading, watching classic movies, and spending time with her grandchildren.

She is survived by her brother-in-law Geoffrey (Becky) Elias, her daughters, Jennifer (Joe) Fairfax, Brenda (Howard) Veltman, and Julie (Gary) Bird, as well as all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is also survived by her nieces and nephews:  Alan and David Rode, Wendy Floria, Regan Waldron, Lindsey Elias-Stroop, Geoff Elias Jr, and the stepchildren and grandchildren of her sister Luella Hershey.

A memorial service is being planned for the summer of 2023 in Lake Orion, Michigan, at East Lawn Cemetery. Memorials can be made to St. Jude Hospital which was Lois’ favorite charity.