Lois Nesbit

Lois Elaine Nesbit
January 30, 1944 – January 31, 2024

Lois Elaine Nesbit, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away on January 31, 2024, in Fargo, North Dakota. She was born on January 30, 1944, in Independence, Missouri, to Charles and Ruby Nesbit.

Lois was preceded in death by her siblings, Bob Nesbit, Bill Nesbit, and Mary Etta Hamadi. She is survived by her five children: Nickolai (and Jennifer) Kohanowski, Erika (and Mark) Hunter, Jonathan (and Telesia) Kohanowski, K. Scott Kohanowski (and Eli McAfee), and Shaun (and Jessica) Kohanowski. She is also survived by her brother, Jerry (and Jackie) Nesbit. Lois was a loving grandmother to nine grandchildren: Nickolai Kohanowski (and Peyton Carlson), Zachary Kohanowski, Kaylie Kohanowski (and Steven) LaFleur, Frost Hunter, Quinn Hunter, Agatha Kohanowski, Adaline Kohanowski, Ezmae Kohanowski, and Koretta Kohanowski. Her legacy also extends to her great-grandchild, Nikolai Kohanowski.

Lois met her first husband Nick Kohanowski in Kansas City, Missouri. They were married in 1967 and shared a great journey together, raising their five children. Although life took them on different paths, Lois cherished many of the memories they created. She later remarried Don Dodds, who predeceased her. In her final years, Lois found great happiness alongside her partner, Bill Fountain, which she described as the most fortunate time of her life.

Lois was an accomplished educator, dedicating her life to shaping young minds. She obtained a master’s degree in education from the University of Missouri in Kansas City, specializing in reading. She taught all levels of elementary and high school, leaving a lasting impact on countless students. Lois’s love for teaching and her passion for literacy made her an invaluable asset to her students and community.

Outside of her professional life, Lois found joy in giving back. For example, she volunteered with the American Red Cross in Louisiana following Hurricane Katrina, extending a helping hand to those in need during their darkest hours.

Lois had a vibrant spirit and a wide range of interests and hobbies. She had a beautiful singing voice and was talented in playing the piano and dancing. An artist at heart, Lois expressed her creativity through various media, including painting, drawing, and clay. She had a deep love for animals and always had a few cherished pets by her side. Bandit, her faithful Shih Tzu, provided her solace during the last decades of her life.

Traveling was another passion of Lois’s. She explored the world, having visited Istanbul, London, Scotland, Italy, Mexico, Canada, and New Zealand, and most parts of the United States. Her curiosity and adventurous spirit knew no bounds as she immersed herself in different cultures and experiences.

Lois had a unique and unforgettable sense of style and dress. Her eclectic fashion choices were a true reflection of her creative spirit. She had an extensive collection of hats and purses, which she cherished dearly.

Above all, Lois’s love for her family was unwavering. She was a force to be reckoned with and would do anything for her children. Her mother’s poetry echoed in her heart, and she recited lines she learned as a girl, reminding us all to seize the day: “Up, up to meet the sun, the bird is on its wing, while ants, and birds, and bees be wise, while you your moments waste, up into the morning rise and to your duties haste!”

A private memorial service will be held on April 7, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at her daughter’s home in Overland Park, Kansas to honor and celebrate Lois’s life. Her ashes will then be interred next to her loving sister Mary Etta. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to Read Alliance, a cause dear to Lois’s heart, at https://readalliance.org/donate.

Lois Elaine Nesbit will forever be remembered as a loving and devoted mother, an inspiring educator, and a talented artist. Her vibrant energy and zest for life will continue to resonate with all those who had the privilege of knowing her. May her soul rest in eternal peace.