Lois Palmquist, spouse of the late Rev. Roger Palmquist, passed away in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on November 5, 2025. She was 96.
Lois Marie Forsman was born July 4, 1929, to parents Arthur and Marie (Brandt) Forsman, the second born after her older sister, Gladys. Growing up, Lois enjoyed going on little trips with her father, where they would share pastries on the way to their destination. She always adored spending time with Gladys, who was two years older than she was.
Lois grew up in Wisconsin and lived there for many years before moving to Evanston, Illinois. She found a job in downtown Chicago where she worked as an administrative assistant and earned the nickname “Shorty.” In Evanston, she began attending a Covenant church, where her faith journey flourished. During that time, she attended a Covenant youth function where she met the future love of her life, Roger Palmquist.
They married on August 1, 1959, and moved to Waltham, Massachusetts, where Roger served as the pastor of Waltham Covenant Church. In the years following, they were grateful to welcome their son, Eric. Roger and Lois were true partners in ministry, each bringing their unique gifts to serve. Lois had the gift of hospitality and cooking in addition to her musical talent. Roger and Lois’s professional journey took them to many areas of the East Coast, serving at Pilgrim Pines Camp and Retreat Center in Swanzey, New Hampshire, Salem Covenant Church in Worcester, Massachusetts, and doing “chalk talks” where Roger would sing and draw while Lois accompanied him on the piano. In Worcester, Lois earned her associate’s degree in interior design.
Roger and Lois eventually moved to serve their final church, Bethany Covenant Church, in Bedford, New Hampshire, where she continued to serve various ministries after Roger died in 1992.
Lois went on to earn her real estate license and flourish as an agent. Both her real estate family and her church family meant so much to her. In 2020, Lois transitioned to Covenant Living in Grand Rapids, where she was able to enjoy her extended family and cherish the rich friendships she made through First Covenant Church of Grand Rapids.
Throughout Lois’s life, the elements she valued the most were her family, friends, and faith. She delighted in being a grandmother and found great joy in loving her two granddaughters, Anna and Elsa. She enjoyed nurturing lifelong relationships and making new friends. As a devoted Christian, she loved her Lord and was unashamed to share her faith with anyone and everyone through thought, word, and deed.
Lois was preceded in death by her husband, Roger; sister, Gladys Weis; and brother-in-law, Harold Weis. She is survived by her son, Eric Palmquist (Krista), and two granddaughters, Anna and Elsa.
The family held a private graveside service. A memorial service will be conducted at a future date at Bethany Covenant Church, where the family encourages memorial gifts to be sent. Words of remembrance can also be shared online here.
Peace be to her memory.
