Lois Ruth ‘Loie’ Sarasin, 88, of Perala Ct., Negaunee Township, passed away peacefully at home early Thursday afternoon, April 19, 2018 in the loving care of her family and UP Home Health and Hospice.

Lois was born February 21, 1930 in Ishpeming to Earl ‘Snus’ and Ruth (Bettison) Holmgren and graduated from Ishpeming High School, Class of 1948. She married her loving and devoted husband, Elmer Sarasin, on July 17, 1954 and together they resided in Negaunee Township for over 59 years.

Lois started her working career as an usher at the Butler Theatre in Ishpeming, and began shortly after at WJPD as a Commercial Writer, host of a homemaker’s program and is most warmly remembered as “Auntie Lois,” reading childrens’ stories on air. While at WJPD, Lois was honored to have been crowned Miss Ishpeming Winter Sports Queen, 1949. She followed her love of theatre to the Airport Drive-In theatre, where she and her sister, Betty Oja, brought joy to moviegoers as concessionaires. ‘Loie’ also spent years performing food demos at various local grocery stores, and was well known as ‘the pizza lady.’ Lois was most proud of her role as a loving homemaker. Dinner was never late and her resounding whistle ensured her children knew, sometimes neighborhoods away.

In her spare time, Lois had a passion for movies. She acted in Anatomy of a Murder as an extra and proudly worked as a stand-in for Kathryn Grant. She could recall special moments such as enjoying coffee with Jimmy Stewart prior to morning shoots. She also acted for several years in the Forest Roberts Theatre presentation of ‘Scrooge,’ where her most memorable role was that of the Ghost of Christmas Past. She was very proud to have shared the stage with her grandchildren, Chris and Sydney.

Loie avidly followed her children and grandchildren in various sporting events and activities, often times showing her support quite ‘vocally.’ She followed professional rally fervidly, where her favorite drivers were her son, grandson and world famous Travis Pastrana, who affectionately referred to Loie as ‘Grandma.’ Loie was also an avid Green Bay Packers and Detroit Tigers fan.

She enjoyed traveling, especially to Hawaii which she visited many times with her husband and family. She naturally made friends there, including several local performers, who she reunited with on many occasions. She brought her love of Hawaii and its culture back to local elementary schools, presenting several programs, including hula lessons. She enjoyed performing the Hu Ke Lou, typically encouraging teachers, staff and principals to join on stage for the popular Hawaiian hula. She also loved reading to elementary grades as ‘Auntie Lois,’ as well as reading at Father Marquette.

Surviving are her loving husband of 64 years, Elmer Sarasin; 3 sons: Steve (Sandy), Scott (Andrea) and Stuart (Kathy) Sarasin; 10 grandchildren: Jason Sarasin, Chris Sarasin, Jenny Rundman, Alicia Savage, Tommy Sarasin, Julia Sarasin, Elena Sarasin, Michele Black, Kyle Sarasin and Sydney Sarasin; and 7 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her sister, Betty Oja, in 1996.

Memorial services will be held at 4:00 pm on Thursday, April 26th at the Koskey Funeral Home with Rev. Dale Niskanen officiating. Interment will take place in the Gwinn Cemetery. The family will greet relatives and friends from 2:00 pm until the time of services at 4:00 pm, and also at a luncheon immediately following services at the Ishpeming Elks. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed in Mrs. Sarasin’s memory to the Vista Theater, 218 Iron St., Negaunee, MI 49866.

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