Lois A. Bourguignon Beisel

Lois Denessen Bourguignon Beisel , age 96, Delray Beach, Florida, and Green Bay, WI died peacefully in her home, Tuesday, November 1, 2016. She was born December 21, 1919 in Green Bay, WI to Elmer and Verna Denessen.
Lois was a graduate of St. Joseph's Academy in 1937 and graduated from Mount Mary College in Milwaukee, WI in 1941. During her college years, Lois was president of Mount Mary's College Club. She was married in Mount Mary's Chapel to her high school sweetheart, Richard Bourguignon in 1942. Raising her 3 children, Peter, Paul, and Anne, was Lois' main joy. She was an avid fan of their activities and participated whenever needed. While Richard was president of the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers, they traveled extensively throughout the world which was a highlight for them.
Lois was a wonderful entertainer and cook who loved a houseful of friends and family around the dinner table filled with an evening of conversation. Richard, the Vice President of the Packers, and Lois being an avid Packer fan resulted in many festive parties prior to and after the games. In retirement until her death, while living in Florida, Lois was the only tenant in her apartment complex with a TV dish so she wouldn't have to miss a Packer game. Her apartment was the place to be on football Sunday for Wisconsin fans. Lois was an enthusiastic volunteer in the community. She was President of Service League for 2 years, volunteered at the Curative Workshop, St. Vincent's Hospital and Meals on Wheels. She co-chaired the Green Bay-De Pere Antiquarian Society antique sale with her sister in 1958. She loved being a homemaker. Her grandchildren called her "homemade grandma" as the holiday tradition was making caramels and English toffee with them. Those recipes have been passed down and they are now making them with their children. She made quilts for all her children going off to college and had an annual day of canning pickles, fruit and jam with her sister and mother-in-law. Later, when her children were grown, Lois earned her Broker's Real Estate License.
Her husband, Richard died in 1979.
In 1991, Lois married the late Daniel C. Beisel of Green Bay. While married to Dan, together they established the Lois Beisel Phuture Phoenix Scholarship Fund. Both Dan and Lois have been incredibly active in their support of education in Northeast Wisconsin. Until her death, Lois continued to support these scholarships. She loved receiving letters from the recipients regaling her with their successes and stories. Dan and Lois also had a love of travel-always planning a trip. Great memories were made with cruises with the children. Lois loved saying she was a very blessed woman to have had two wonderful husbands. They truly were her best friends. She was adored by both of them and she lovingly and joyfully cared for them.
Lois will be missed dearly and remain in our hearts of those she touched and nourished. She is a woman who will be remembered always for her love of family and friends. She was a woman who embraced her faith throughout her life. Lois had 2 wonderful caretakers, Ruth and Patricia Hurtado. During their years together, they built a mutually genuine love and affection for one another-it was a very special bond. We are so grateful for the love, care and laughter they gave mom-a gift to all of us that we'll fondly remember.
Also our family would like to thank the many neighbors, the hospice family and volunteers who so wonderfully gave us support and especially their attention paid to her caregivers, who moved from Florida to Green Bay with the promise that they would always care for our mom. It has meant so much to our family.
Lois is survived by her 3 children: Peter (Linda) Bourguignon, Paul Bourguignon and Anne (Stan) Hooker; 10 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; sister, Marilyn Vander Zanden Mackin; sister-in-law, Julie Bourguignon; 12 nieces and nephews and step-children: Jane (Ed) Quinn, Katherine (Eldon) Arden, Sarah (Dennis) Thulin and Margaret (Sandy) McIlwaine.
Memorial donations to Unity Hospice (2366 Oak Ridge Circle De Pere, WI 54115) are greatly appreciated.
Visitation for family and friends will be at ST. MATTHEW PARISH, 130 St. Matthew's St., Green Bay, Friday, November 4, 2016 from 9:30 to 10:45 AM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 AM. Entombment will be at Allouez Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleum. For more information call Newcomer Green Bay Funeral Home at (920)432-4841.