Lois Desimpel

Lois Margaret (O’Hara) Desimpel passed away and went to the Lord on February 1, 2018.

She was born November 11, 1929 in Detroit, Michigan to James H. (Hud) O’Hara and Florence (Eclow) O’Hara. 

Lois was raised in the Detroit and Oxford areas, and attended Sacred Heart Academy, and Mercy High.  She was a member of Theta Omega Phi Sorority.  She also attend the University of Detroit.

On December 30, 1958 Lois married Elmer Leo Desimpel at Gesu Catholic Church in Detroit.  They made their home in Bloomfield Village, Michigan and were members of Holy Name Catholic Church in Birmingham. 

In 1971 they moved their family to Harbor Springs, Michigan, and became members of Holy Childhood of Jesus Catholic Church.

With the loving spirit that Lois had, she was consistently involved in many charitable and community activities, including Christ Child Society, The Humane Society, and St. Ann’s Altar Society.

Lois shared Leo’s passion for Harbor Hall, and was a founding member of the Harbor Hall Auxiliary, which provided daily essentials for the residents while they were away from their families. 

A true friend to all who knew her, she had an unmatched sense of humor, and she loved to make others laugh living her life with kindness, humor and faith.

Lois was preceded in death by her loving husband Leo, her parents James and Florence O’Hara; her brother James M. (Jack) O’Hara, her sister Maryanne (O’Hara) Gariepy, and bother-in-law Paul T. Gariepy.

Lois is survived by her fabulous family.  Her children, Thomas Leo Desimpel, Julie Ryan (Desimpel) Hebert, Ellie and Mike VanderMolen; Grandchildren, David James Jr. and Julie Hebert, John Ryan Hebert, Kacey Lauren VanderMolen and Nicholas Michael VanderMolen who all loved her dearly. 

Lois is also survived by the caring and loving staff at Perry Farm Village where she resided for the past four years.  The family wishes to thank them for the devoted care and love they showed her. 

A funeral Mass will be performed at Holy Childhood of Jesus Church on February 9th at 11:00 am, with the visitation at 10:00 am.  A graveside service will take place in the Spring. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Harbor Hall Foundation at 396 E. Main Street, Harbor Springs, Michigan 49740. 

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