Maureen Evelyn Loots

West Des Moines

Maureen Evelyn (Bohnsack) Loots passed away at Mercy West Lakes in West Des Moines on May 3, 2013. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 7, 2013 at McLaren’s Chapel in West Des Moines with burial at Resthaven Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.

Maureen was born March 16, 1921 in Manning, IA to John and Anna (Hansen) Bohnsack. After her father’s death in 1930, Maureen moved to Carroll, IA with her mother and three sisters. She graduated from Carroll High School in 1939. After graduation she worked at Anderson Shoes and Montgomery Wards. Maureen met her future husband, Roger Loots, at the City Club in Carroll, where he was playing in the dance band. Their meeting grew to be a romance like no other, tied to the Big Band music of the time. Maureen was married to Roger on September 21, 1941 in San Diego where Roger was stationed in the Army. Over the course of their marriage, they lived in Salt Lake City, San Antonio, Omaha and Carroll before settling in their West Des Moines home in 1961. They were blessed with four children, Diane (Ali) Mahmoud of Reston, VA, Sharon (Jim) Thurlow of Pequot Lakes, MN, Alan (Susan) Loots of Clive, IA, and Stephen (Jan) Loots of Waukee.

Maureen was a wonderful homemaker and loved to cook. When dining out she would usually order lasagna. She loved to garden as well as travel. Her favorite color was red and she loved poppies. Maureen so enjoyed Big Band music and her favorite musician, other than her husband, was Harry James. She also loved the song “Once Upon A Time” by Tony Bennett.

Maureen was dedicated to raising her four children and helped her husband in his coin-op amusement business and dance band, The Roger Loots Orchestra. After her husband’s untimely death on May 18, 1972, she worked at Drake University. Maureen was a member of the West Des Moines United Methodist Church and resided in her West Des Moines home until her recent move to Calvin Community.

Maureen is survived by her children; eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; sisters, Elvera Gardels, Geraldine Moorman and La Villa Taylor; and one great-grandchild.