Townson-Rose Funeral Home

Obituary for Lois Marjory Oester


10/25/1933 - 11/30/2022


Lois Marjory Oester, 89, of Murphy, N.C. passed away Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022 at her home following a brief illness.

She was born in Pittsburgh, PA, to the late Robert and Mary Check Deemer. She graduated from New Kensington High School in New Kensington, PA.

Lois began her career as a clerk with K-Mart in New Kensington, PA and ended her tenure with the company as a Regional Manager working out of Secaucus, N.J. She then graduated beautician school and opened her own business where she resided with her late husband, David Oester, in Springs, PA. She then worked for United States Investigations Service (USIS) as a background investigator for a few years before retiring.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, David, a son, Harry, as well as sisters Annamae Melville, Audrey Carney and Barbara Pastos, and a brother, Robert Deemer.

Lois is survived by her son, Larry (Darlene) Householder of Maryland, and two daughters, Pamela (John) Shatraw of Murphy, and Linda Laurinatis and her companion Wayne Drum of Pennsylvania. Also surviving are a sister, Shirley (Dave) Smith of Murphy and 11 grandchildren: Michelle (Jimmy) Luckett, Brooke Householder, Brittany (B.J.) Duty, Tiffany (Ed) Johnson, Eric (Jennifer) Maglisco, Dustin (Bailey) Maglisco, Mike (Hannah) Maglisco, Craig (Becky) Householder, Chris (Lana) Householder, Bill (Nikki) Shatraw and Ann (Kevin) Crosby. Nineteen great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews also survive her.

She was a member of the Shepherd of the Mountains Church, Murphy and a former member of Springs (PA) Mennonite Church.

Lois was former president of the East Kensington Community Center and former president of the New Kensington PTA. She was secretary-treasurer of the Springs Historical Society and was active in the Mennonite Church women's association and the Springs Folk Festival.

Her passion was her family and its get togethers. She loved baking pies, banana-nut bread, and Christmas cookies and nut rolls for her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed gardening, bird-watching (especially cardinals) as well as sewing and bowling.

A Celebration of Life will be held at noon Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023 at Shepherd of the Mountains Church with Pastor Chris West officiating. The family will receive friends at the church at 11 a.m. that day. A second Celebration of Life service will be held in the spring in Springs, PA. Burial will be in Springs. Townson-Rose Funeral Home, Murphy, is in charge of local arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to: Shepherd of the Mountains Church, 68 Fairfax Drive, POB 1136, Murphy, NC 28906 or to Springs Mennonite Church, 1686 Springs Road, Springs, PA 15562.


You may send tributes to the family at www.townson-rose.com