Lois Marie Steensma, 78, passed away surrounded by the love of her family in Austin, TX on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 am, followed by a Memorial Service at 11:00 am on Saturday, September 5, 2026 at Miller Funeral Home (Downtown Location) 507 S. Main Ave, Sioux Falls, SD.

Lois Marie (Palmer) Steensma, 78, was born April 24, 1948, in Madison, South Dakota, to Ivan LeRoy and Helen Marie (Young) Palmer. She grew up in Winfred, South Dakota, with her three sisters, Janet, Mary Ellen, and Connie, and graduated from Madison High School.

Lois built a life centered on family, faith, work, and service to others. She earned her real estate license and enjoyed helping people find their homes. She worked at Alick’s Drug and Grocery, Hy-Vee, American States Insurance, and the South Dakota Board of Nursing for more than 16 years. She later worked at Hy-Vee, Ace Hardware, and Walmart. She also earned an associate degree in Secretarial Science from Killian Community College.

Lois married Robert Duane Anderson on December 6, 1969. They had three children: Russell, Rochelle, and Roth. They later divorced. On September 11, 1993, Lois married Donald Steensma. They shared a loving marriage until Donald’s passing in 2009. Lois remained in their Sioux Falls home until moving to Austin, Texas, in March 2025.

Lois cherished her family and created many treasured memories through gardening, cooking, walking, traveling to see grandchildren, and caring for others. She loved growing strawberries, green beans, carrots, peas, tomatoes, cucumbers, and apples. She especially enjoyed reading, with Jan Karon among her favorite authors, Bible studies, church, music, concerts, and anything sweet. She also loved dogs and cats and cared for a stray cat she named Pretty Boy.

After breast cancer surgery in November 2024 and a decline in health, Lois moved to Austin to be near her daughter Rochelle and her family. She lived at Parmer Woods North Assisted Living from March 2025 until her passing on August 19, 2026.

Lois made many friends at Parmer Woods. She welcomed new residents through the Ambassadors Committee, delivered the daily news, and participated in book club, bingo, and Bible study. She enjoyed weekly “grandparent dinners” with Rochelle, David, and her grandsons Calvin, Elliot, and Levi, as well as Sundays at Austin Baptist Church followed by family lunch.

On the day of her passing, Lois was surrounded by her daughter Rochelle and grandson Calvin. They prayed and sang “How Great Thou Art” together.

Lois is survived by her daughter, Rochelle Anderson Perry (David) and their sons, Calvin, Elliot, and Levi, of Austin, Texas; son Roth Anderson of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and her late son Russell Anderson’s daughters, Shermane Anderson Bryant and Samantha Anderson Ruth (Joshua) and their children, Madeline, Oliver, Evelyn, and Jonah. She is also survived by her sisters, Janet Spies, Mary Palmer Garza, and Connie Pierce of Lincoln, Nebraska; stepdaughters Terri Zavadil (Bob, children-Kayleigh, Ve) and Erin Steensma; Donald’s siblings Janet (John) Williams, Jo (Greg) Hauglid, and numerous extended family members.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ivan and Helen Palmer; son Russell Anderson; husband Donald Steensma; former husband Robert Anderson; and Donald’s siblings Wayne (Madonna), Gene (Delores), and Bob Steensma.

Lois will be remembered for her warm heart, strong faith, love of family, generous spirit, and the many lives she touched.

Visitation, memorial service, and a light lunch will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 5, 2026, at Miller Funeral Home in downtown Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Condolences may be sent to Rochelle and David Perry, 11815 Three Oaks Trail, Austin, TX 78759; Terri and Bob Zavadil, 743 Battle Front Trail, Knoxville, TN 37922; or Erin Steensma, 3300 E. 13th St., Sioux Falls, SD 57103.