Lois Ostergaard Boyd, 96, passed away peacefully on January 5, 2025, in Machesney Park, IL.

Lois was born April 9, 1928 in Silverton, OR to Julia Stipe Ostergaard and Soren Kroygaard Ostergaard. The family moved from Oregon to North Carolina before finally settling in Winnetka, IL, where Lois graduated from New Trier High School. She attended Northern Illinois University where she met Randolph “Bud” Boyd from Rockford, IL. Lois and Bud were married on August 28, 1948 in Winnetka. After Bud finished his service in the Navy, they settled in Rockford and started their family.

In 1959 a job transfer brought the family to the Chicago area, allowing them to purchase the house where Lois grew up in Winnetka. Additional job transfers took them to Franklin, TN, Sheboygan, WI, and in 1984 back to Rockford.

Lois was a preschool teacher. For over 35 years, she taught hundreds of three- and four-year-olds to say “please” and “thank you” before retiring at age 78. Lois loved antiques. Lois and Bud collected and resold antiques at local flea markets for many years, and she continued working at estate sales throughout Rockford well into her late 80s. Above all, Lois was a mother and a friend. She took great pride in her Danish heritage and will be remembered for her compassion, quick wit, and vibrant personality.

Lois was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Bud, her brother Kroy Ostergaard, and her son-in-law Robert Lewis. She is survived by her four children: Randy Boyd (Barb Lapp) of Tucson, AZ; Lisa Boyd of Evansville, IN; Barbara Boyd-Lewis of Rockford; and Julia Boyd Shuster (Dale) of Glendale, WI. She also leaves behind four grandchildren—William Shuster (Rachel), Andrew Shuster (Shelby), Kathryn Lang (Erik), and Elisabeth Myers (Jonathan) and nine great-grandchildren.

The family would like to extend their appreciation for the exceptional care Lois received from the staff at TLC Living Community and Mercyhealth Hospice.

Private family services will be held at a later date.