Lois E. Poling

Lois Elaine (Speer) Poling, 89 of State Center passed away on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at Bethany Life in Story City, Iowa.

Services for Lois will take place on Saturday, October 25 (please note date) at 2:00 P.M. at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown. A visitation will be held one hour prior, beginning at 1:00 P.M. She will be laid to rest at Hillside Cemetery in State Center. Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation. For additional questions or condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234.

Lois was born February 23, 1936 to Errol and Beatrice (Hanno) Speer, one of seven children born to this union. Lois studied at LaSalle Extension University and graduated from Marshalltown High School Class of 1954. Education was always a priority she took a lot of night classes at Iowa Valley and also with Fisher Controls Continuing Learning.

Lois married Larry Poling on January 11, 1953 at the First Presbyterian Church in State Center, Iowa. They met at a youth fellowship meeting at the Central Christian Church in Marshalltown. Lois was a member of the church and Larry came with a couple friends.

Lois and Larry lived all but two years of their married life in State Center. They celebrated 50 years of marriage in January of 2003, two and a half years before Larry’s passing.

Lois worked at Fisher Controls from 1965 to 1968 in the billing department. Lois returned to Fisher Controls in 1973 as an Assistant Buyer and Procurement Assistant. Lois retired in 1998 after 25 years of service and continued to gather with her Fisher friends on a regular basis.

Lois was very involved with her children and grandchildren. It was customary for them to gather every Sunday evening for supper and socialization. Lois delighted in baking and decorating their birthday cakes with her display of creativity and talents. Holidays were also a big deal, Lois always went out of her way to make everyone feel special and welcome.

One of Lois’ main hobbies was writing poetry. She had several published with the International Poetry Society and was invited on a regular basis to their conventions as a VIP.

Lois was very proficient on the computer loved being able to connect with her friends and family.

Lois and Larry did a lot of traveling with the State Center Investment Club, BMA Insurance Company, family vacations and later with their personal friends, including a trip to England with several stops along the way. After Larry’s death, she continued to do some traveling to Alaska, the Caribbean, Gulf Shores, AL, many western states as well as several bus trips around Iowa.

Lois is survived by her children, Linda Gibbs of Colo, IA; Lance (Mandee) Poling of Burnet, TX; LuAnn (Dennis) Clatt of Colo, IA. Seven Grandchildren, Ashley (Bill) Cran of Ames, IA; Brittany (Kasey) Jones of Zearing, IA; Tanner (Rylie) Clatt of State Center, IA; Jacob (Kenadie Betz) Clatt of Colo, IA; Lance (Hannah Rockwell) Poling of Burnet, TX; Lexi Poling of Burnet, TX; and Taylor Poling of Burnet, TX. Great grandchildren, Brooklyn and William Cran; Brady, Hadley and Gentry Jones; Kambren and Koven Clatt. Brother-in laws, Alan (Jeanette-deceased) Poling; Kenneth (Penny) Poling. Sister-in-laws, Carolee (Dennis) Volker; LeaAnn Hitchings and several nieces and nephews.

Lois was preceded in death by her husband, Larry; two sons, Lynn and Gary (stillborn); her parents, Errol (Lillian) Speer; Beatrice Speer. Sisters, Betty (Alan) Foss; Doris (Kenneth) Kaisand. Brothers, Edward Speer; Bill Speer; Eugene Speer and Steven (Jeannie) Speer; Sister-in-laws, Sharon Abbas; Jeanette Poling. Brother-in-laws, Jerry Poling; and Ricki Poling.

Lois’ family likes to remember her as a caring, kind and dignified women who above all loved her family.

• Lovingly written by Lois and her family